Nissan and BMW are to jointly build a national grid of electric vehicle (EV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) charging stations in South Africa. The grid is to be utilized by Nissan and BMW vehicles.
According to news reports, the companies have signed a memorandum of understanding for the purpose as part of a drive to increase electric vehicle adoption in the country.
The charging stations will accommodate direct current fast-charging devices for Combined Charging System 2 used by BMW’s electric and plug-in hybrid models and the Charge de Move system plug standards used by Nissan LEAF.
In certain regions alone the grid of charging stations will also make use of smaller alternating current-based vehicle chargers equipped with ‘Type 2′ sockets common to all EVs and PHEVs.
The companies have stated that the grid will be maintained by a joint task team. And the agreement the companies will be effective until 2017.
Both BMW and Nissan have been launching their new EV and PHEV models in South Africa. In March BMW introduced the i3 (named Green Car of the year 2014 by Green Car Journal) and i8 (named the 2015 World Green Car of the Year) in South Africa.
Nissan introduced its 100 percent electric car, LEAF, in South Africa in 2013. Globally, 174 000 units of the model have been sold worldwide.
Ajith Kumar S
editor@greentechlead.com