Eco News

Nikkei. Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) plans to have up to 200 recharging stations for electric vehicles up and running in the greater Tokyo area in fiscal 2009, with an eye toward expanding the network to 1,000 or so in about three years.

TEPCO has developed a quick-charging system that allows an electric car to run 40 km (25 miles) on a five-minute charge and 60 km (37 miles) on a 10-minute charge. TEPCO plans to start installing the devices to support with the planned launch of electric vehicles by Mitsubishi Motors Corp. and Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., the maker of Subaru automobiles, in fiscal 2009.

Through a partnership with two manufacturers of recharging equipment, TEPCO will work to have the devices installed in such locations as parking facilities. Mitsubishi Motors and Subaru dealerships have already signed on, and major retailer Aeon Co. plans to set up a recharging station at a new shopping mall in Saitama Prefecture.

The recharging stations cost about ¥4 million (US$36,500) each, including construction expenses.

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