A New "Aeon" Dawns for Japanese Electric Cars
by greenz.jp, Tokyo, Japan 
on 06.22.08
(image courtesy of Wikipedia commons)
The Japan Times reported this week that leading supermarket chain, Aeon Co., Ltd., is contemplating setting up electric car charging ports at its supermarkets in conjunction with Japanese automobile manufacturers. The announcement comes in the wake of a bevy of plans for the commercial release of electric vehicles such as Mitsubishi's i MiEV (pictured above) and Subaru R1e from Fuji Heavy in 2009.
The first generation of electric cars may take up to 14 hours to charge at home, however Aeon is looking to install chargers that can fill up your tank, so to speak, in around one hour. Perfect for the busy shopper.
The company wants to install its first trial electric car charger near Tokyo at its Laketown Mall in Koshigaya, Saitama Prefecture. Depending on the feedback from the trial, Aeon may set out to set up its very own electric car charging network nationwide.
Good news for both greenies and purse-conscious drivers alike!
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love it ..
The concept is remarkable and i expect the company to get a phenomenal response especially in turbulent times of high fuel prices which are simply unsustainable . GO GREEN.
Finally, an awesome looking electric car.
FINALLY!
First gen EV's were on the road about 100 years ago.
So, how do you pay for it? Are you supposed to pay before you leave, or before you plug in the car? Is it a flat rate, or based on how much charge your car needs?
I have been preaching the "shopping mall recharge" system for several years now, and am happy to see someone finally implement it.
This infrastructure will make the Japanese Electric Car a #1 choice for transportation.
Longer trips need only be interrupted with rest and recharging side excursions to the local shopping mall where drivers will find a welcome relief from road boredom.
I hope the idea catches on in other countries.
Why do EVs have to be so damn ugly? Don't manufacturers get that adoption will be that much easier if the vehicle is functional AND attractive? I want an EV bad, but I don't want a bad EV. Give something like the Dodge Zeo and you've got me putting down a deposit. Mitz and Subu got a long way to go IMO.
How is the electricity generated that produces the "Charge" for these electric autos and what is the cost to the customer?