Japanese Retailer to Open Eco-Shopping Center with EV Battery Charging Station

Aeon Co., a major Japanese retailer opened a new style of eco-shopping center in Saitama Prefecture on October 2, 2008. The store has systematically incorporated the latest environmentally-friendly technologies and systems, including a high-speed charging station for electric vehicles (EVs) and 11 chargers for electric motorbikes. The installation of such an automotive charging station is the first of its kind in a domestic commercial facility, in preparation for the upcoming roll-out of electric cars in 2009.

The charging stations are installed on the premises of the eco-shopping center named Aeon Laketown in Koshigaya City. After being charged for about 30 minutes at the station, EVs will be ready to run 120 kilometers, about 80 percent of the distance they can cover when fully charged.

Automakers are accelerating their efforts towards a 2009 launch of EVs onto the market. Mitsubishi Motor Corporation's zero-emissions EV named iMiEV and Fuji Heavy Industries' equivalent named Subaru Plug-in Stella Concept model are in fleet testing with electric power companies.

While EVs are in greater demand with soaring gasoline prices as well as the public's increased environmental awareness, it has been a challenge to develop a battery charging station infrastructure. The cooperation among different industries is expected to help improve the infrastructure.

- AEON Laketown to Open on October 2
http://www.aeon.info/en/
pressroom/imgsrc/080806R_1.pdf
- AEON officlal website
http://www.aeon.info/en/
- Subaru R1e
http://www.fhi.co.jp/english/
news/press/2007/07_02_08e.html
- Kanagawa Prefecture to Promote Subsidies and Tax Credits for EVs (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/en/pages/027134.html
- Fuji Heavy Showcases New Electric Vehicle Prototype (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/en/pages/027733.html

Posted: 2008/12/05 06:51:54 AM