Japanese company JFE Engineering claims it has found a way to recharge electric car batteries in only 3 minutes.
In tests JFE conducted with its “Super-Rapid Charging System” device, Mitsubishi’s i-MiEV electric car, which has a driving range of 160km on a full charge, was able to drive for 80km (50 miles) continuously after a 3-minute charge. A 5-minute charge supplies 70% of battery capacity, making it possible to drive the same EV about 110km, according to JFE.
This range covers the average daily travel distance for almost all passenger cars.
The “Super-Rapid Charging System” device stores power at night-time in a storage battery incorporated in the device. This power is then transferred to a separate special battery, which discharges to the EV almost instantaneously, enabling charging in a short time of only 3 minutes.
JFE also developed a low-cost version of its charger, which doesn’t require a power transformer and therefore costs roughly half the usual amount. Both that device and the high-cost model meet the specifications of the CHAdeMo standard for electric cars that was brought to life by a Tokyo Electric Power Company, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Subaru and Toyota in March.
JFE’s “Super-Rapid Charging System”should be available in Japan by March 2011.
[source: JFE Engineering]
