Certainly, electric cars would be accepted by more people if the time it took to charge the vehicle were roughly the same as what it takes to fill your tank with gas. While this is rather difficult to achieve, AltairNano and others are working on just that. Perhaps the closest you can come to that with your electric vehicle right this minute may be this new charging system by ZAP for their Xebra line of vehicles.
From the press release: "This new charger can reduce your charge time from hours to minutes," said ZAP Chairman Gary Starr. "Now you can drive your electric car all day with just a few short stops. In the time it takes to eat lunch you can hook your XEBRA up to the charger and have a full charge in less than an hour. Think of it as putting your XEBRA out to graze."
Some details: It connects to a 240-volt, 60 amp circuit or 208-volt, 3-phase, 50 amp circuit. This means that it will work with a 220 volt outlet, like your stove or dryer might use. The press release also says it can function on a 110 volt outlet, although that would lessen the performance of the charger.
Think of this: Would a charger like this in your home allow you to use an electric vehicle with a smaller battery pack? What is your furthest average day-trip? Let's say, 20 miles. If you had roughly a 40 mile range, like what the Volt may offer, you could drive 20 miles somewhere and 20 miles back home. Then, recharge in an hour and be able to do it again ... never using the gas powered generator.
Click past the break for the complete press release from ZAP.
[Source: ZAP via Jalopnik]
Fast Electric Car Charger from ZAP (OTCBB:ZAAP) Cuts Recharge Time from Hours to Minutes
SANTA ROSA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Imagine charging your electric car in the time it takes you to have lunch. That's what electric car pioneer ZAP (OTCBB:ZAAP) is saying about a new charging technology for their XEBRA electric car or truck.
ZAP says the charger on the XEBRA can be configured for charging with either a 110 or 220-volt outlet like the ones used with a household washer and dryer. The new charger is able to provide up to 100 amps or 10,000 watts of electricity into the vehicle and ZAP Chairman Gary Starr says it will significantly extend daily driving range.
"This new charger can reduce your charge time from hours to minutes," said Starr. "Now you can drive your electric car all day with just a few short stops. In the time it takes to eat lunch you can hook your XEBRA up to the charger and have a full charge in less than an hour. Think of it as putting your XEBRA out to graze."
Normally the XEBRA recharges in under six hours, but Starr says the new charger would be ideal for fleets, government agencies, corporations, universities and multi-car families looking to incorporate all-electric vehicles. It connects to a 240-volt, 60 amp circuit or 208-volt, 3-phase, 50 amp circuit. The fast charger is similar to ones used at Southwest Airlines, America West Airlines, the Toronto Pearson International Airport, and Arizona Public Service for recharging their fleets.
The new charger can be ordered through ZAP for about $9,000 and can even qualify for a Federal 30 percent tax credit. See IRS Tax Form 8911 for the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Property Credit. Starr added that people needing an even faster recharge could order a charger capable of putting out 15 kW or 50 percent more power.
ZAP calls the XEBRA design a 'city-car,' available as a 4-door sedan or 2-passenger truck, good for city-speed driving up to 40 MPH and priced about $10,000. ZAP recently introduced another way of improving range and battery life with an optional rooftop solar panel. For purchasing information, contact your local ZAP dealer. For a list of dealers, visit http://www.zapworld.com.
About ZAP
ZAP has been a leader in advanced transportation technologies since 1994, delivering over 90,000 vehicles to consumers in more than 75 countries. ZAP is at the forefront of fuel-efficient transportation with new technologies, including energy efficient gas systems, hydrogen, electric, fuel cell, ethanol, hybrid and other innovative power systems. ZAP is developing a high-performance crossover SUV electric car concept called ZAP-X, engineered by Lotus Engineering. The Company recently launched a new portable power source technology using advanced lithium batteries that powers and recharges cell phones, digital audio players, laptops and other mobile electronic devices. For more product, dealer and investor information, visit http://www.zapworld.com.
Forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, continued acceptance of the Company's products, increased levels of competition for the Company, new products and technological changes, the Company's dependence upon third-party suppliers, intellectual property rights, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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