Japanese logistics provider Yamato Transport orders 500 StreetScooter EVs

The Japanese logistics provider Yamato, which is celebrating its 100-year anniversary this year, has ordered 500 electric light utility vehicles from StreetScooter, a subsidiary of Deutsche Post DHL Group.

As part of the close development partnership between the two companies, the electric vehicles have been modified to meet both Japanese standards and the specific needs of Yamato. That means these “Made in Germany” e-transporters will be sporting a steering wheel on the right. Delivery is scheduled for operation during fiscal year 2019.

While restructuring a sustainable last mile delivery network for TA-Q-BIN, it has been a big challenge for us to develop new delivery vehicles with the consideration of our employee’s point of view. This encounter with StreetScooter is truly exciting to us, and we’re looking forward to our first step towards a resolution through joint development.

—Yutaka Nagao, Representative Director, President and Executive Officer of Yamato Transport

TA-Q-BIN provides next day (or two day) shipping services for residents in Japan to anywhere in the country.

Yamato ordered 500 Work Pure. This model is StreetScooter at its most basic since the variant has no truck body. Truck bodies will be assembled and installed on Work Pure chassis by the Japanese company Toprec, and will also be suitable for cold-chain applications.

Maintenance and repair will be performed by the Yamato Transport’s group company, Yamato Autoworks, which is responsible for the group’s delivery fleet and also functions as a fleet services provider for third parties.

Yamato Transport is the leading logistics company in Japan and number one on the domestic parcel market. In fiscal year 2018, the company transported some 1.8 billion items.

With the help of Yamato’s “TA-Q-BIN” service, customers can send parcels, merchandise (even cold-chain items) as well as bulky goods and luggage to nearly any address in Japan, including hotels and airports.

In addition to last-mile delivery, the Yamato Group also offers a range of commercial options: Logistics services for major customers (BIZ logistics), appliance installation and moves (home convenience) as well as IT solutions (e-business), financial services (financial) and vehicle services (Autoworks). Yamato is the official logistics partner of the Olympic Games and the Paralympics in Tokyo in 2020.

2017 Nissan Versa Note Hybrid Launched in Japan - VIDEO

After years of simply buying hybrid tech from Toyota, Nissan is finally launching its own compact hybrid. Meet the 2017 Nissan Versa Note hybrid e-POWER. Using a 1.2 liter gasoline three-cylinder as a generator for its electric battery, the new Versa Note series hybrid is good for 87.4 MPG.

The battery back in the Nissan Versa hybrid e-POWER is reportedly just 1/20th the size of the one found in the latest Nissan Leaf. With the 3 cyl. humming along, however, the smaller battery can store more than enough power to keep the little car moving forward. And, since the battery is so small, it doesn’t intrude into the passenger compartment or compromise rear seat leg room.

There’s no word yet on what kind of acceleration and performance figures we can expect from the new-for-2017 Nissan Versa hybrid. Still, here’s hoping the car has more in common with its sharp-handling and sport Versa Note SR siblings, and less with the base model.

You can watch Nissan’s own promotional video explaining the very Chevy Volt-like e-POWER tech, below. Then, let us know whether you think Nissan’s new hybrid has what it takes to challenge the Volt, Prius, and upcoming Hyundai Ioniq hybrids in the comments section at the bottom of the page.

2017 Nissan Versa Note Hybrid w/ E Power

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Source | Images: Nissan, via Autoblog, Autoexpress UK.

Cameras Are Poised To Make Side View Mirrors Obsolete

Isn’t it odd that Tesla can put semi-autonomous cars on the road without any objection from regulators but manufacturers are prohibited from using cameras to replace side view mirrors because of regulations? Cameras have come a long way in just a few years. During the Formula One race July 3 in Austria, a camera embedded in the curb on the outside of one turn gave viewers a clear image of the wheels of the cars as they hurtled by at more than 180 miles per hour. Surely a camera that can do that could also help us monitor traffic conditions around us as we drive.

As of June 17, cameras that replace side view mirrors are now legal in Japan. Several Japanese companies are racing to capture this new market and suppliers in other countries are waking up to a new market opportunity. Tesla reportedly wanted to eliminate side view mirrors on its Model X but was prevented from doing so by safety regulations.

Side view mirrors give designers fits because they break up the visual flow of their creations. Aerodynamicists dislike them because they cause turbulence and drag. Now it appears both may get their fondest wish — the elimination of side view mirrors at long last.

One of the leaders in this new camera technology is Ichikoh Industries in Japan. “Our job is to improve the visibility of the drive, with lighting and mirrors, but now also with cameras,” says its CEO Ali Ordoobadi. He sees a major opportunity for his company. “There is a switch of technology, a kind of rupture,” he said. “It’s a really new segment with higher content, and that means higher revenue opportunities. This is the trend, and we have to be in front of the others.”

Ichikoh’s first product is an interior rear view mirror that has a double function: It operates as a regular mirror but transforms into a digital screen that displays a live video feed of what is happening behind the car with the flick of a switch. Dubbed the Smart Rear View Monitor, it entered production June 28 for a vehicle that goes on sale in Japan in August.

Mirrorless cars got a big boost last year when the United Nations World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations approved the use of cameras that meet certain specifications in place of mirrors. Tetsuya Saito, section chief on engineering policy at Japan’s Road Transport Bureau, said Japan changed its rules in light of video quality advancements. “The U.N. regulations have standards that clearly determine high performance specs,” Saito said. “Until now, camera monitors haven’t been introduced to replace mirrors because they didn’t have sufficient visibility.

The European Union is expected to approve mirrorless cars next year. The US should follow in 2018, with China joining the switch to cameras instead of mirrors shortly thereafter.

Germany’s Robert Bosch doesn’t even make mirrors but it sees an opportunity to leverage its expertise in electronics to enter this new market segment. Bosch spokeswoman Barbara Zelenay says it has developed a system for commercial trucks that uses interior displays mounted on the cabin’s A-pillars. “The technology is not the issue,” Zelenay says. “It’s up to the legislation. We don’t make mirrors, but we could make the replacement for mirrors.”

Cameras instead of mirrors make a lot of sense for large trucks, which often have mirrors the size of barn doors festooned on their doors and fenders. Not only would the new systems cut down on aerodynamic drag, they would allow big rig drivers a clearer view of what is going on around their vehicles.

The changeover from mirrors to cameras will come gradually and not all drivers will embrace the new technology at first. For one thing, the view drivers get on their display screens do not show the B and C pillars that support the roof of the vehicle. Drivers are accustomed to using those items as reference points to help them accurately assess where they are on the road and their relationship to other cars.

As with all new technology, it will take some time to replace what we are used to and become the prevailing standard. But by the end of this decade, mirrorless cars should start becoming a common sight. Once drivers understand that cameras are safer than traditional mirrors, they will begin demanding them for their own cars.

Source and photo credit: Automotive News

US Emerges As The Biggest EV Innovator

The US automobile industry has emerged as the biggest innovator in the field of electric vehicles according to a recent analysis of patent and intellectual property data.

The analysis of global patent numbers indicates that US auto manufacturers have moved ahead of the pack in the electric vehicle category, despite reports of declining levels of innovation floated earlier this year by the likes of Thomson Reuters.

According to data compiled by IPWatchdog, it’s actually the conventional giants of the America automobile industry as opposed to groundbreaking upstarts like Tesla who are leading electric vehicle R&D, with both Ford and General Motors Company taking out first and second place, respectively, for IP in the sector.

Ford alone accounts for nearly ⅕ of all electric vehicle IP, with a portfolio of 459 US patents. The combined contribution of Ford and General Motors jointly accounts for nearly ⅓ of all patents in the field.

Japan has also emerged as a leading centre for electric vehicle innovation, with top auto manufacturers Honda and Toyota taking third and fourth place, respectively. Honda has amassed a slew of 272 US patents for electric vehicles, with some of them developed for motorcycles specifically, while Toyota has a total of 201 US patents in the field, including theft protection devices and more-effective methods for collecting kinetic energy during the braking process.

Many of America’s EV patents involve hybrid electric vehicles, which clearly explains the somewhat counterintuitive ranking.

Ford’s slew of EV patents, for example, focuses heavily on plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), with standout innovations including US Patent 9033075 for an Auto-Seek Electrical Connection for a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle, a technology which enables battery-powered vehicles to automatically connect themselves to stationary charging elements in the absence of driver oversight.

Nissan LEAF is Tourist’s Choice in Rural Japan

To maintain the serenity of rural tourist attractions, Japan has employed the locally built Nissan LEAFas suitable companion to its more natural destinations.

Trip from Tokyo to Niigata

In an area Northwest of Tokyo, roughly an hour by bullet train, sprouts one of Japan’s three most popular “onsens” or hot springs. The Matsunoyama hot springs reach temperatures of 208 degrees Fahrenheit (98 Celsius) which is enough for the onsen to generate power — enough power to charge the electric Nissan.

In the area hosting the Art Triennale 2015, equal to the size of Tokyo’s 23 wards, visitors are happy to have a carsharing service, and an electric one. Tomohiro Iguchi, President of Isen Co., says, “The Art Triennale 2015 is currently underway but we also actively try to preserve and promote Snow Country culture as well as regional eco-tourism. Thus, this combination of Nissan EV car sharing and regional tourism is a perfect conceptual mix.”

Nissan LEAF

The Japan Travel Bureau has been increasing the number of public charging stations in the country, placing many of them near the JR railways. This enables travelers to swiftly move from bullet train to EV in rural environments. According to Hiroyuki Kuroiwa JTB Eco-Market Producer, over 1,600 regular electric chargers will be installed in over 1,000 locations by August 2015.

Nissan has a history of providing carsharing services in remote tourist areas. In 2013 on the island of Teshima, Nissan deployed low-speed two-seat Renault Twizys for visitors to explore the small island.

Tranquil Onsen at Ryokan Chitose

The owner of the inn “Chitose” Kazunari Yanagi declares, “The hot springs here are a blessing as well as the fact that onsen can produce electricity. My experience in the Nissan LEAF is a quite ride but that the EV has power. It matches very well with the hot spring environment.”

No word yet as to whether or not these gentlemen were compensated for their participation in the following video.

In a country where charging stations outnumber gas stations, Nissan is certainly thriving. Even “gaijins” BMW and Tesla are trying to get a piece of the action.

Japanese Maglev Train Goes Record 374 MPH

A Japanese maglev train set a world speed record last week, reaching a top speed of 374 MPH. The experimental magnetic levitation train set a world record when it reached a top speed of 361 miles per hour back in 2003, and it broke that record at 366 mph two weeks ago.

But then last week, it broke the record again, travelling at an astonishing 374 mph. At that rate, it could make the trip from Tokyo to Nagoya, which normally takes 5 hours by car, in a mere 40 minutes. But don’t buy your tickets yet. The first maglev trains are not expected to enter regular service until 2027.

A maglev train rides along a specially constructed rail line. An electric field allows it to ride about 4 inches off the ground. Since there are no wheels touching the tracks, friction is greatly reduced, which allows the maglev train to go faster than any conventional train. While it might seem that most of the power the train uses would be needed to keep it hovering just off the ground, in fact the majority of power is used to overcome aerodynamic drag.

That drag could be substantially reduced it the maglev train ran inside a vacuum tube, which is precisely the idea behind Elon Musk’s visionary Hyperloop concept. While that system would not operate in a complete vacuum, it would still remove most of the air from inside the tube, allowing maglev trains inside to hit speeds of 800 mph or more. That’s fast enough to make the trip from New York to Los Angeles in just over 4 hours. It would also put some airlines out of business. A Chinese company thinks it can make a train that can travel 1800 mph using vacuum tube technology, but don’t hold your breath for that one.

The fastest maglev train currently in commercial service connects Shanghai to the local airport. It makes the 18 mile trip in 8 minutes at speeds up to 250 mph. Other low speed maglev trains are in use or proposed in many parts of Asia, where moving large numbers of people quickly is a priority. One such train built in Japan for the 2005 World Expo carried over 10,000,000 passengers in just 3 months time.

In America, the Amtrak Acela is capable of traveling 150 mph but the poorly maintained tracks in the Northeast Corridor limit it to as little as 50 mph along some sections. Texas is interested in constructing a new rail line for a high speed “Bullet Train” to connect Houston and Dallas.

High speed trains are an appealing alternative to air travel. China is thinking about building a rail link from Beijing to San Francisco that would transport passengers in comfort from one city to the other in 2 days time. And they probably won’t charge extra for your luggage, either!

One consideration, of course, is how much energy will these trains of the future consume and where will it come from? If the electricity is supplied by dirty, coal fired facilities, the advantage of speed may be offset by negative environmental considerations. But what if the got their electricity from solar power? Another key question is, how much will they cost to build? And can fares be kept low enough to attract people who normally fly to consider going by train instead? These are questions that have no answers at present.

Mazda CX-3 Gets Diesel Engine, But Only In Japan

For two years now, Mazda has teased us with the promise of diesel engines that are both efficient, and worthy of the brand’s “Zoom-zoom” tagline. The Mazda6 diesel was supposed to go on last sale, but difficulties meeting American emissions standards and performance expectations has delayed the engine again and again.

Mazda is having no such issues in Japan though, where it announced that the new CX-3 would be sold solely with a diesel engine, as the automaker continues to pursue better fuel economy. Reuters reports that while just 3% of Japanese car sales are diesels, Mazda expects to build some 150,000 oil-burning CX-3s for worldwide distribution. Europeans can also get a CX-3 with a diesel mill, but Americans are limited to one of two four-cylinder motors that deliver decent enough fuel economy, but likely nowhere near what a Mazda diesel might offer.

The Mazda 6 sedan, for example, offers up to 40 MPG on the highway, while its diesel sibling manages up to 57 MPG. Now I’ll grant you, thats on the more generous (and easier to cheat on) European MPG testing standards, but even if you cut the difference by 50%, the diesel engine should still easily manage 47 MPG highway, or about 20% better than the gas engine. The CX-3 could see an even more drastic improvement.

Then again, this move might be a bad one for Mazda right now, as both the English and French government officials have renounced diesel vehicles in recent months as bad public policy. These countries are instead moving towards plug-in hybrids and EVs, with France offering as much as €10,000 for diesel owners to make the switch to an electric car. But Japan is a car economy all onto itself, from its weird kei cars to an almost zealous devotion to hydrogen fuel cells. Can Mazda convince a world moving away from fossil fuels that diesel crossovers have a place at the table?

Maybe those rumored diesel-electric hybrids would be a better bet…if they ever get there. Mazda’s current track record isn’t exactly faith-inspiring.

Source: Gas2

The Tama EV Was Japan’s Answer To Oil Scarcity - A Look Back

Following the Allied victory over Germany and Japan in 1945, both loser nations required massive rebuilding effort that were hampered by a serious lack of oil. Japan in particular lacked easy access to oil, and in the years following World War II creative mobility solutions were required, which included the Tama electric car.

Tama, which merged with the automaker now known as Nissan in 1966, stood out as the best of a bad bunch of electric cars in post-war Japan. Top speed was just 35 KPH, or just 21 MPH, though a driving range of about 95 km, or 60 miles actually isn’t much less than the current crop of EVs. One unique feature that actually made the Tama somewhat practical though were the wheel-equipped batteries, which made swapping an empty pack for a full one fairly easy.

The Tama was produced in limited numbers from 1947 to 1950, serving mostly as a taxi and utility vehicle while Japan’s devastated infrastructure was rebuilt. Germany had a different response to oil scarcity, instead rely on ultra-efficient small cars like the BMW Isetta to get from Point A to Point B. Other solutions to a lack of oil included “gas bag” vehicles powered by natural gas stored in inflatable fuel bags attached to the top of the vehicle.

Humanity can be incredibly clever when we’re forced to be…too bad ideas like electric cars and efficient compacts took another 60 years to really catch on with the general public. That’s the march of progress, I suppose.

Toyota, Honda, Nissan To Support Hydrogen Fueling Sites In Japan

Hydrogen station in Amagasaki City, Japan

E

Electric-car adoption is being helped by manufacturers spending money to build up charging infrastructure, taking it upon themselves to install charging stations for customers to use.

Given the scarcity of hydrogen fueling stations, a similar effort may be required for fuel-cell cars to carve out a permanent place in showrooms.

Such an effort will now be undertaken by Japan's three largest carmakers in their home country.

Honda, Nissan, and Toyota announced that they will work together to develop hydrogen-fueling infrastructure in Japan, but were light on details about how that would be accomplished.

Hydrogen station in Ebina City, Japan

A press release noted that "specific measures" to be undertaken by the three partners "will be determined at a later date."

Those measures could "underwriting a portion of the expenses in involved" in operating hydrogen fueling stations, the companies said.

This undertaking makes sense for two of the partners. The 2016 Toyota Mirai fuel-cell sedan is already on sale in Japan, and Honda plans to launch a production fuel-cell car based on the recent FCV and FCEV concepts next year.

Sci-Fi Transit System Combines Cars With Maglev Trains

Humanity has arrived at a literal crossroads, where the benefits of personal transportation are butting against the need for a more efficient means of transit. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could combine both? A sci-fi transit concept called the AKA24 gives drivers the option of total control on local roads, or of letting a computer take over on a high-speed maglev line.

Designed by Chuang Dong, Zhen Qiu and Haowen Deng, the AKA24 is something that would be more at home in the world of Blade Runner or The Fifth Element (shoutout to Leeloo). Using specially designed four-wheel cars, these single-person pods can be driven independently, or attached to a sideways maglev line, like those that zip across Japan and China. When drivers get close enough to the maglev line, the cars “flip” sideways and latch onto the line. Occupants need not worry though, as an independent pod swings to keep passengers properly oriented at all times.

It literally turns the idea of roads and railways on its side, and one that has some merit. By building up, instead of sideways, designers could be large vertical high-speed “roads” that these special cars could attach to. You could squeeze a lot more vehicles into a vertical space, especially in a congested urban setting. It’s a skyscraper-inspired road, and while this particular design is unlikely to ever see the light of day, it’s an inspirational design that could inspire future sci-fi novels.

While these concepts aren’t good for much more than inspiration, all it takes is one really good idea to change the world. Just ask Bill Gates or Steve Jobs. For the record though, I still prefer the Hyperloop.

Source: DVice

Maglev Train Proposal Promises 15 Minute Ride From Baltimore To D.C.

With President Obama failing to launch a national high-speed rail network, it may take some outside help to jumpstart our HSR ambitions. Japan has stepped in offering to provide half of the loans required to build a 37-mile maglev train between Baltimore and our national capital, Washington D.C. The saddest part? How happy officials are to have the help.

Even though the journey covers less than 40 miles, the current rail network takes more than an hour to make the trip between the two cities. In most cases, it’s quicker to drive, though finding (and paying for) a parking spot is a headache, nevermind the infamous Beltway traffic. Even so, Americans deserve a better train network, and thanks to Japan, we may get it.

The rail system is estimated to cost about $8 billion, and the Japanese government is willing to provide low-interest loans to cover half the cost, about $4 billion. Of course there is an ulterior motive here, and Japan hopes to showcase its “Super-Maglev” train system, which connects the country with high-speed trains at fairly affordable prices. America’s only other high-speed rail project in California is currently facing a number of issues, including a lack of funding, and Republican governors colluded to put a halt to Obama’s MidWest ambitions, putting the U.S. back at square one. This isn’t the first offer of outside help America has had from countries where high-speed rail is both popular and profitable, and it’s about time we swallowed our pride and got some help getting this thing going.

The system proposed by the Japanese government could cut the trip down from an hour to just 15 minutes, saving passengers a ton of time, while providing a real-world example that high-speed rail can work in the United States. Haters gonna hate, but with Japan offering the split the cost on a small-but-important showcase project, perhaps this can restart our nation’s hope for a genuine high-speed rail network.

Just don’t hold your breath.

Source: The Telegraph

Japanese-market Mazda3 Gets CNG, Diesel, And Hybrid Options

Though Mazda has been slow to embrace any one alternative fuel technology, the small Japanese automaker has just rolled out three new green cars at the Tokyo Motor Show that embrace a diverse array of different fuel-saving, emissions-scrubbing technologies.

The Mazda3 SkyActiv-CNG utilizes both gasoline and compressed natural gas in its high-compression 2.0 liter, four-cylinder enigine, giving drivers a choice that utilizes a cheaper fuel. Alas, for now the Mazda3 CNG is a Japanese-market vehicle only, though the big push for CNG vehicles in America is far from over, and this vehicle could yet make it to our shores.

More interesting, and likely to come to America though is the Mazda3 SkyActiv-HYBRID, which also uses a high-compression 2.0 liter engine (14:1!) and an 84 horsepower electric motor connected to a new CVT transmission. The motor never directly drives the Mazda3, but rather assists the gas motor in low speed and low load situations, and power comes from a nickel-hydride battery like those found in the Toyota Prius. This system will supplement the Mazda6 with the iEloop mild-hybrid system, giving customers a choice.

Under the Japanese testing standard, the Mazda3 will supposedly return 72.3 mpg, though under the same standard the 50 mpg Toyota Prius is rated at 89.4 mpg. Under American standards, the Mazda3 Hybrid should be good for at least 45 mpg on the highway, making it competitive, though not quite a Kingslayer.

Mazda also announced that its 2.2 liter SkyActiv-D diesel engine would see double duty in the Japanese-market CX-5 and Mazda3. America is already getting the Mazda6 with the SkyActiv-D engine, though it won’t hit our shores until 2014. Now imagine a diesel-powered hatchback with 310 ft-lbs of torque and hybrid-beating fuel economy. More than anything, that’s the car Mazda needs to bring to America.

Source: Mazda

Honda begins lease sales of Fit EV in Japan

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has begun lease sales of the Fit EV (earlier post) to local governments and businesses in Japan. Honda plans to lease approximately 200 units of the Fit EV in the next two years, mostly to local governments and businesses.

The Fit EV development team adopted two key words—“Fun” and “Mottainai” (no waste)—and strived to 1) create a vehicle with greater range requiring less battery capacity, 2) further pursue motor drive performance, and 3) eliminate any waste of time during battery charging and other areas.

To achieve these points, Honda adopted a basic package of the Fit with its compact body size and occupant comfort and planned the maximization of the energy efficiency of EV. As a result, the Fit EV has achieved the current best AC energy consumption rate of 106 Wh/km and one-charge mileage of 225 km (140 miles) in JC08 mode.

Nikkei: Japan government to broaden disclosure of CHAdeMo quick-charging standards

The Nikkei reports that the Japan government will broaden its disclosure of CHAdeMo quick-charging technology standards for electric vehicles, currently known by only a few automakers, to promote the spread of EVs and related industries.

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry aims to accelerate the development of charging infrastructure, which is still not widespread. METI also hopes the effort will pave the way for lower EV prices by encouraging more competition.

Details of the CHAdeMo charging technology, developed by Nissan Motor Co. , Toyota Motor Corp. and others, will be made available at Thursday’s meeting of the Japanese industrial standards committee, an advisory panel to the industry minister. The standard is currently available to some automakers and power companies. Details to be disclosed about the technology include the shape of the plug that connects the car to the charger, and how to prevent electrocutions.

Nikkei: popularity of fuel-efficient vehicles lowering demand for gasoline in Japan

The Nikkei reports that the nationwide average price in Japan for regular gasoline was ¥139.8 per liter ($6.65 per gallon US) as of Monday, dropping for the 13_th straight week to a 16-month low, according to the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy.

Prices at the pump are falling in Japan not only due to lower crude oil prices, but also because the widespread popularity of fuel-efficient vehicles has lowered demand for gasoline.

...A shakeout in the gas station industry is expected as next-generation green cars, including electric and fuel-cell vehicles, become more popular. Next-generation cars will account for 56% of all automobiles in Japan in fiscal 2030, the agency predicted in a report released in mid-June. Gasoline consumption that year is expected to be about 60% lower than the fiscal 2010 level.

The agency forecast that demand for petroleum products in Japan will total 130 million kiloliters in fiscal 2030; the Petroleum Association of Japan has stated that 180 million kiloliters of demand is necessary to provide stable supplies.
The number of gasoline refueling stations in Japan as of 31 March 2011 had dropped to about 38,000, down from more than 60,000 in 1995, according to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

19.7% of new cars sold in May 2012 in Japan were hybrids; Prius and Aqua dominate

Integrity Exports. 19.7% of new cars sold in Japan in May 2012 were hybrid cars, up 11 percentage points from last year. The liftback Prius led the field with 20,789 units sold, closely followed by Aqua (Prius C overseas) with 20,091 units sold.

Looking at the different manufacturers, hybrid sales make up 25% of Honda sales in Japan, and a whopping 46% of Toyota sales. Honda’s percentage has actually dropped a little thanks to the success of its kei car minivan, the NBOX.

And talking of kei cars, these now make up four-tenths of new car sales in Japan, with 6 of May’s top-ten best-selling models being keis.

Skylark Restaurants in Japan to offer free EV recharging at 900 locations

Integrity Exports. The Skylark restaurant group in Japan plans to offer free EV public recharging at their 900 locations around Japan, with no obligation to be a customer of the restaurant.

Initially, the chargers will be standard “slow” chargers, but if you combine a meal with a bit of shopping, you could end up with a quarter to a third of a “tank” for free. Skylark will be gradually supplementing these with fast chargers as well, so customers will be able to get a full charge while they eat.

Theoretically you could tour the entire country paying nothing for your travel and eating cheap at Skylark’s restaurants. Of course, all this is in the future, as they are currently working on 9 “Gusto” restaurants—one each in Kanagawa, Saitama, Kyoto, Nara and Shiga, but this will increase to a third of their locations in the next five years.

...Of course, these will all be in addition to the charging points springing up around Japan in car dealerships (right now 25% of Mitsubishi dealers—about 180 dealerships—have chargers up and running), convenience stores (the big players like Lawson, Family Mart and Circle K together have 51 installations) and other locations.

—Stephen Munday, Integrity Exports

How Will Tragedies in Japan Dampen Electric Vehicle Enthusiam?

2011 Nissan Leaf - Click above for high-res image gallery

We've already seen the panic here in the U.S. as activists and analysts question our nuclear infrastructure, and Congress considers a re-examination of our existing facilities. These new fears about nuclear power have everything to do with the events unfolding at Japan's Fukushima power plant, and Automotive News wonders if that trepidation could dampen the prospects of electric vehicles as well.

Plans in Europe call for about 1 million EVs on the road by 2020, and a lot that push centers around increasing the number of nuclear power plants to feed these vehicles. Let's face it, an EV that's charged via electricity generated at an oil or coal-burning plant doesn't do much to decrease our reliance on fossil fuels, so nuclear makes a lot of sense. And as costly and time-consuming as it is to erect a nuclear facility, it's likely easier and less expensive than relying on solar, wind or hydro-electric energy sources.

So what does all this have to do with electric vehicles? If the events unfolding in Japan lead governments to question the safety and viability of nuclear power, then new plants will be slow to come online. If car buyers know that their EV is likely burning the same CO2-emitting fossil fuels as their neighbor's internal combustion engine, what's the point of paying more for something that's just as dirty, more expensive and not as easy to fuel up?

Right now the situation at the Fukushima power plant is dire, but if the situation gets worse, the future of nuclear power, and possibly even EVs, could be just as bleak.


Source: Autoblog Green

Japan Offers Aid to Bolivia For Developing Lithium Resources

The Nikkei reports that Japan will offer technical assistance to Bolivia to develop its lithium resources and ensure a stable supply of the metal. It is estimated, the Nikkei said, that supplies of lithium will become increasingly scarce in Japan, beginning about 2015, as more people begin driving electric cars.

Bolivia has the world’s largest lithium reserves. The Japanese government hopes to begin working with its Bolivian counterparts at a pilot plant being built near Salar de Uyuni, in the southwest of the country.

Officials from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry will visit Bolivia early this week to make the aid proposal, which will include providing financial assistance and dispatching technical experts.

Japan Contemplates Economic Aid to Bolivia in Exchange For Lithium Supplies

The Nikkei reports that the Japanese government is planning to offer comprehensive economic aid to countries that produce rare-earth metals or lithium in exchange for supplies of the resources to be used in hybrid and electric vehicles.

In what would be the first such deal, the government is considering extending tens of billions of yen in loans by May or June to help build a 100-megawatt geothermal power plant planned by Bolivia, which in turn would allow Japan to secure supplies of lithium...Japan will also continue to cooperate scientifically and technologically to build businesses around lithium.

About half of the world’s lithium deposits are believed to be in Bolivia’s Great Lake of Uyuni. Japan, France, Brazil and other countries are vying to tap these mostly undeveloped reserves. Bolivia is expected to decide in the first half of this year which companies will be awarded the development work.

Source: Nikkei