Electric vehicle firm to develop “15-minute” charging system

January 28, 2010

The THINK City, which will have a 100-mile range and 70 mile-an-hour top speed

Norwegian electric vehicle manufacturer THINK is working on a program to “jump-start” the development of fast-charge infrastructure in the US.

The company said it will work with AeroVironment Inc. (AV), a California-based defence sector electronics firm, to develop demonstration projects using THINK’s vehicles and AV’s fast-charging system.

Announcing the partnership at the Washington Auto Show this week, THINK said the project would lead to infrastructure allowing one of its cars to be charged in just 15 minutes if starting with batteries up to 80% depleted.

This was a new benchmark for the electric vehicle industry, it said.

“THINK and AeroVironment are setting a new standard for extremely quick re-charging – zero to 80 percent in just 15 minutes,” said THINK CEO Richard Canny.

“This is a major leap forward for electric vehicles. The development and deployment of very-fast-charge stations will help speed the electrification of automobiles in the United States and globally.”

As a number of major motor manufacturers prepare to place electric vehicles on widespread sale, the availability of sufficient charging infrastructure will be key to the take-up of the cars.

Michael Bissonette, AV senior vice president and general manager of its Efficient Energy Systems business segment, said: “Our portfolio of true fast-charge systems, commercial opportunity charge stations, and overnight home charge stations will help drivers integrate electric vehicles, such as the THINK City, into their lives and realize the benefits of zero emission transportation.”

THINK

THINK is to build its electric cars in Elkhart, Indiana (see this BrighterEnergy.org story), close to the manufacturing facility of its major shareholder and battery supplier EnerDel.

The THINK cars will go on sale in the US later this year, boasting a top speed of more than 70 miles an hour and a range of more than 100 miles on a single charge.