If you've been checked out from reading Nissan news for a little while, you have some catching up to do. The award-winning Japanese automaker is making significant advancements in EV and EV-charging technology, at a very rapid rate.
Perhaps you've previously read about Nissan's newest quick charger, which was unveiled in Japan just last month. With 500V, it offers a moderately faster charging time compared to the automaker's current 420V quick charger, which promises 80-percent in half-an-hour. And, it's slated to hit select commercial markets, starting in November.
Nissan is also planning to bring thousands of Level II and DC quick charging stations "online", across the country, next year. The Seattle/Redmond area, for example, will get 1,565 Level II charging stations and 60 DC Quick Charge stations. Similarly, the Portland/Eugene area will get 1,150 Level II charging stations and 61 DC Quick Charge stations. Among the other geos slated to go "online" in 2012 are the Bay Area, San Diego, Phoenix/Tucson, Austin, Honolulu, Dallas, Nashville/Knoxville/Chattanooga, Kansas City, Chicago, Detroit, Baltimore, District of Columbia, New York, New Haven, Raleigh/Charlotte, and Orlando.
Just as, if not more exciting, Nissan has also started working closely with researchers from Kansai University to develop a faster quick charger than even the 500V variant scheduled to officially launch in select Japanese markets, next month. Ultimately, they want to develop a system that can deliver a full charge in a mere 10 minutes. Industry insiders expect such a device will hit commercial markets within 10 years. We're hoping a little less.
What will Nissan come up with next? Beaver County Nissan, located at 2777 Constitution Blvd. Beaver Falls, PA invites you to stay tuned and find out.