Japan To Soon Get Sharing Service For Ev Charging Stations
Electric vehicles are becoming more popular in Japan but finding somewhere to charge them is still a problem.
Come spring, however, that's going to change when a new sharing service will connect charging stations and EV drivers through a smartphone app.
The service is bringing together three main players.
The electronics firm Panasonic is busy developing the app.
Mizuho Bank will handle the settlement of the usage fee. And Sompo Japan will cover damage insurance.
With the app, drivers will be able to find a charging site, make a reservation and pay the fee while the station owners will be able to register the facilities they have in parking areas and other locations.
The owners will be able to sign up from late November.
A Panasonic official told a news conference that it's impossible for just one company to enable an EV society. He said the group hopes many drivers will sign up.
The Japanese government is aiming for a five-fold increase in the number of charging stations around the country by 2030 from the current level.