Mitsubishi’s electric car plugs into the Sun

The solar station, designed for Mitsubishi’s new all-electric car, the Mitsubishi i, can charge as many as four vehicles at once and features three types of chargers producing different voltages.

The standard level 1 voltage (110v) delivers a 100 percent charge in 22 hours. Level 2 (220v) can charge the vehicle in six hours. The level 3 CHAdeMO Quick Charger can charge the battery to 80 percent capacity in 25 minutes.

The DC Quick Charger charging station is powered by 96, 175W photovoltaic modules from Mitsubishi Electric. Its solar panels are made with 100 percent lead-free solder, and have one of the higher sunlight-to-energy conversion ratios in the industry, adding to the project's efficiency and sustainability.

Mitsubishi Electric & Electronics USA, Inc and Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., which debuted the charging station on July 7, said it symbolizes the company’s commitment to electric vehicle readiness, and will help kick off the preparations as certified Mitsubishi dealers become EV-ready in anticipation of the scheduled launch date of Mitsubishi i for each state.

The Mitsubishi i will arrive in dealer showrooms this November. Meanwhile, prospective owners may reserve their cars through a pre-order process available at i.mitsubishicars.com.

"This project will build awareness of solar power's versatility and efficiency," said Katsuya Takamiya, president and chief executive officer, Mitsubishi Electric & Electronics USA. "As electric vehicles' popularity grows, we expect to see more charging stations at large employers, automobile dealerships, shopping centers and schools, where cars can charge while people work, shop or study."

The DC Quick Charger, manufactured by the Eaton Corporation, is the first-of-its-kind CHAdeMO Quick Charger certified for U.S. sale and public utility. The actual installation of the charging equipment and the supporting electrical infrastructure was performed by Rogers Electric. The twin-arch structure for the charging station was designed by California Green Designs.

The charging station is the first such collaboration between the two similarly named companies, whose headquarters are just a few blocks apart in northern Orange County. The charging station is situated near the junction of the 405 and 605 freeways. The hope is that the Cypress charging station, with its Quick Charge capability, can serve as a gateway charging pad for Mitsubishi i users commuting between Los Angeles and Orange counties.

"We hope that our dealers, learning institutions, and municipalities will look to this technology with a keen eye towards the future, and bear in mind that the gradual acceptance of the pure-EV transportation will be aided by increasing the number of facilities like this one," said Mitsubishi Motors North America President Yoichi Yokozawa.