Japanese convenience store chain orders 150 Mitsubishi electric cars, could install 8,000 chargers

Mitsubishi didn't need a survey to find out if Lawson likes the iMiEV. The Japanese convenience store chain has ordered 150 of the electric jelly beans to replace some of its commercial vehicles starting in the summer. The Yomiuri Shimbun reports that this might be the first step in Lawson's electric shift: all 1,500 Lawson vehicles will probably go electric "in the future." An even bigger deal is that Lawson is considering installing electric vehicle chargers in its parking lots. There are about 8,000 Lawsons in Japan, and the availability of public charging stations could quickly become a non-starter with that kind of infrastructure. Lawson's "corporate social responsibility" platform includes carbon-reducing efforts and collecting donations for a tree planting campaign.

[Source: Yomiuri Shimbun via EVWorld]