Nissan: EV Quick-Charging Hits Critical Mass in Japan

Japan’s CHAdeMO fast-charging technology has reached “critical mass” with 7,000 stations operating in the country as of June 1, Nissan Motor Co. says in its latest EVolution newsletter.

The number of CHAdeMO (short for “charge de move”) points in Japan jumped 20-fold since the carmaker launched its Leaf electric car six years ago, Nissan points out. It says the total has nearly tripled in the last two years alone from about 2,800 stations in late 2014, with installations spreading to highway service and roadside rest areas, parking facilities and convenience stores. The increase was sparked in large part by subsidies from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

Japan, which began developing the CHAdeMo protocol in 2002, now accounts for 60% of all fast-charging installations (those with 20-kW to 50-kW capabilities) worldwide, according to the CHAdeMO Assn. The U.S. has 1,800 fast-charging units, while France and the U.K. have a combined 1,350.

Nissan says the next step is to analyze usage and traffic patterns to determine where additional chargers should be placed. It also is working with the association to develop more powerful chargers to handle higher-capacity battery packs.