Japan's Cosmo Oil Offering EV Charging Service Using Green Power Certificates

Cosmo Oil Co., major Japanese petroleum distributor, announced on July 22, 2010, that it has started a "Green Power Charging Service" for electric vehicles (EVs) utilizing green power certificates. The company launched the service jointly with Three F Co., a convenience store chain operating around the Tokyo area, and Energygreen Co., a Japanese green power certificate company. Cosmo has so far installed EV charging equipment at two of Three F's convenience stores in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture.

Under the service, Energygreen issues green power certificates based on the environmental value of the power generated by the photovoltaic systems at Cosmo's service stations, and then Three F purchases the certificates from Energygreen for the same amount as the electricity charged at its branches.

It is a challenge in terms of costs and available locations to install renewable energy power generators near EV chargers, but this service makes it possible to charge EVs with green electricity generated from renewable energy sources.

The service is scheduled to be offered until June 30, 2011. Besides the Three F's EV commercial vehicles and Cosmo's EV members, individual customers can also use the charging service, and no fee is being charged at the moment.

Cosmo Oil Co. official website
http://www.cosmo-oil.co.jp/eng/

Posted: 2010/11/12 06:00:15 AM