Osaka Prefecture Grants Subsidies to Solar-Powered EV Charging Stations

Japan's Osaka Prefecture has been implementing its Osaka EV Action Program to make electric vehicles (EVs) a core element to promote local industries. As part of the program, the prefecture established a program to provide subsidies for the installation of solar-powered rapid charging stations for EVs. After inviting applications for the subsidy from municipalities, corporations and sole proprietors in the prefecture, on January 19, 2010, the prefecture announced the names of selected recipients of the subsidy and the locations of the EV charging stations.

Full installation costs can be covered by the subsidy, which is up to 8.55 million yen (about U.S. $93,000), of which 3.5 million yen (U.S. $38,000) is for solar system installation. Requirements to receive the subsidiary were: 1) the installation should be completed before the end of fiscal 2009; 2) the recipients should help with the implementation of the prefecture's policies, including the Osaka EV Action Program; 3) the stations should be open to the public for at least 8 years, five days a week, from 9 to 17 o'clock; and 4) the service should be offered for free for at least five years in principle (electricity bill should be paid by the stations).

The nine subsidy recipients (for 10 charging stations) include convenience stores, shopping centers, electronics retailers, a civic center and a city office. With a rated power output of 50 kilowatts, the chargers at the stations will be able to recharge the battery of Mitsubishi Motor's i-MiEV (launched in July 2009), to almost 80 percent of full capacity in 30 minutes.

Installation of EV Charging Stations Making Progress in Tokyo and Kanagawa (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/en/pages/028974.html

Posted: 2010/03/18 06:00:15 AM

TAG Energy , Local government , NGO/Citizen , Transportation