PGE Opens US First Quick Charge Station

Portland General Electric (PGE) and NEC officially opened the first quick-charge station for electric vehicles in the U.S.

A 50kw charger made by NEC subsidiary Takasago Ltd. has been installed at the headquarters of Portland General Electric Co. in Portland, Oregon.

The quick charging stations recharge the vehicles in a fraction of the time of traditional charging stations.

Now, officials say that an electric vehicle can be charged to near full capacity in just 20 to 30 minutes while the owner grabs a cup of coffee or lunch.

The Takasago Rapid Charging Station complies with the “CHAdeMO,” a global EV charging standard developed in Japan. The station provides power output of 50kw (50-500V, 0-125A) and supports power input of AC200V±30V.

At the unveiling event, Governor Ted Kulongoski took a test drive of the Nissan LEAF.

Portland and the state of Oregon have been designated as top-tier launch markets for the Nissan LEAF when it goes on sale in the United States in December.