Under a Memorandum of Understanding signed by both parties, the companies have agreed to deploy Direct Current (DC) quick-charging stations throughout Spain.
The electric vehicle charging stations will be based on the internationally accepted CHAdeMo standard, and the network will be compatible with the Nissan LEAF electric vehicle, which is expected to go on sale in Spain in June 2011.
’We are confident that the Nissan LEAF’s range will be enough to satisfy most drivers’ daily needs. However, with the availability of quick charging, EV owners who need to drive longer distances will be able to do so with confidence knowing they will be able to recharge no matter where they go in Spain,’ said Andy Palmer, senior vice-president at Nissan.
With its lithium-ion batteries and electric motor, the Nissan LEAF has a range of about 160km. The quick-charge systems will be able to restore up to 80 per cent of its battery power in just less than 30 minutes.
The CHAdeMO - or Charge to Move - standard was originally created by a coalition of Japanese companies including Nissan, Toyota, Mitsubishi and Fuji Heavy Industries working with the Tokyo Electric Power Company. Today, the association includes representatives from more than 150 Japanese and foreign companies, as well as local governments.
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