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Toyota's 'model' eco district gets solar-powered EV charging station

Toyota, looking to further boost the "shiny, happy" quotient of the model eco-district it's built in Japan's Toyota City, has installed a charging station specifically to be used for its single-passenger electro-mobility vehicles.

The Smart Mobility Park charging station, located in Toyota Ecoful Town (yep, that's what it's called), will be used as a Ha:mo1 Ride2 ("Harmonious Mobility" Network) station starting in the fall, allowing folks to rent EVs to speed their voyage to the nearest public-transport station. Specifically, the station will serve three single-passenger COMS vehicles and five Yamaha PAS electric bikes.

The station will also have solar panels so the vehicles draw less (or, in some cases, no) juice from the grid, and will come equipped with general household outlets, making it potentially useful on blackouts by homes in this shiny, happy land. Check out Toyota's press release below.
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TMC Installs Electric Mobility Sharing Station at Toyota City Model Eco District

Toyota City, Japan, May 7, 2013-Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announces that it has installed a Smart Mobility Park electric mobility charging station at Toyota Ecoful Town, its low-carbon society model district located in Toyota City.

While functioning as a hub for electric mobility sharing, the Smart Mobility Park can also generate and store electrical power, making it possible to reduce the burden on the electricity grid. The station is based on the Toyota Smart Mobility Park concept unveiled at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show and features two main aspects:

1. Electric Mobility Sharing Hub
The station functions as a hub for electric mobility vehicle sharing for short distance travel and is planned for use as a Ha:mo1 Ride2 station from autumn this year. Ha:mo Ride is an electric mobility sharing service for short distances such as the last few kilometers from the nearest public transportation point to a final destination.

Three "COMS" (produced by Toyota Auto Body) ultra-compact single-occupant electric vehicles (EVs), and five "PAS" (produced by Yamaha Motor) power-assisted bicycles have been set up for users to try out. Vehicle rental is automated through the use of IC cards for authentication and vehicle unlocking, and test drives of the COMS and PAS are possible within Toyota Ecoful Town.

2. Energy Management and Power Generation, Storage and Supply
The station is equipped with solar power generating and electricity storage functions so that it can charge vehicles using independently generated electricity or power-grid electricity. It is also fitted with general household power outlets so that, in times of emergency, it can also supply stored electricity to electrical appliances.

Station monitor displays show electricity-related information such as generation and storage, power grid usage and vehicle charging status. Values are measured minute-by-minute and energy is managed so that electricity stored during the night can be used to supplement insufficient power generation during the day.

Based on data gathered from households participating in Toyota City energy data management systems (EDMS) verification tests3, TMC plans to work with regional EDMS to manage energy for charging stations and reduce the burden on regional power grids.

Since October 2012, TMC has been testing the urban transportation system Ha:mo in cooperation with Toyota City and transportation operators4. Four vehicle stations have been set up in Toyota City at Chukyo University and its nearest public transport points to provide 11 COMS and 10 PAS units for use in the Ha:mo Ride electric mobility sharing service. This autumn, TMC plans to expand the service area to central Toyota City and provide a fee-based service using approximately 100 ultra-compact single-occupant EVs and 100 power-assisted bicycles at 20 stations for 1,000 members.

Main Specifications of the Smart Mobility Park
Station Size (width x depth x height) 25,000 x 7,890 x 2,600 (mm)
Parking spaces Ultra-compact EV: 6
Power-assisted bicycles: 5
Monitor screen Size 46 inches
Solar panels Size (one panel) (width x depth x height) 1,630 x 862 x 35 (mm)
Number of panels 10
Maximum total output 2.1 kW
Storage battery Size (width x depth x height) 1,200 x 300 x 1,370 (mm)
Total electricity storage capacity 7.8 kWh
Battery type Lead-acid
EV/PHV chargers Size (width x depth x height) 220 x 400 x 1,400 (mm)
Output voltage Rating: Single phase AC 200 V;
50 Hz/60 Hz
Continuous rating electric current 15 A
Supported models All leading domestic PHV/EV models

1"Ha:mo" is short for Harmonious Mobility Network, expressing "Mobility harmonizing people and cities". Click here for more information regarding Ha:mo and its operational tests.
2Ha:mo Ride was adopted as part of the Next-Generation Energy and Social Systems Demonstration conducted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, with operation testing beginning in Toyota City in October 2012.
3Implemented as part of the Toyota City Low-Carbon Society Verification Project
4Aichi Loop Line Co., Ltd., Aichi Rapid Transit Co., Ltd., Chukyo University, Toyota City, Nagoya Railroad Co., Ltd., Hitachi Ltd., Meitetsu Kyosho, Ltd., Meitetsucom Co., Ltd., Meitetsu Bus Co., Ltd. and Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.

Toyota Information

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