Yazaki North America, Inc. and Evatran Partner to Bring Plugless Power to Electric Vehicles

Press Release Source: Evatran; Yazaki North America, Inc. On Wednesday June 1, 2011, 6:00 am EDT

WYTHEVILLE, Va., June 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Evatran, the developer of the Plugless Power? electric vehicle (EV) inductive recharging system, and Yazaki North America have signed a Joint Development Agreement to develop and market Plugless Power? technology to automotive manufacturers as a factory or dealership option. With joint resources, Evatran and Yazaki are developing a hands-free charging system to be used in residential, commercial, and industrial applications, eliminating the need to "plug in" to recharge the vehicle's battery.

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Charging with the Plugless Power? system is as simple as parking the EV above the floor-mounted parking pad. The solution utilizes proven, induction technology to create a convenient wireless charging system designed specifically for the high-power EV application. The Plugless Power? technology transfers up to 3.3kW of power, the level required by most electric vehicle models, at efficiencies above 90 percent, ensuring that vehicles recharge as quickly as with traditional plug-in methods.

"This partnership guarantees that our technology will have the highest level of design reviews, performance testing, and vehicle integration engineering," said Rebecca Hough, Executive Vice President of Sales and Product Development at Evatran. "Yazaki's experience in the automotive industry will ensure our vision for a simple, convenient EV recharging solution comes to fruition."

Jim Romine, Executive Vice President of Engineering at Yazaki North America said, "Yazaki is proud to be one of the first suppliers committed to assessing and commercializing new technologies for our customers, with a specific focus on sustainable initiatives and hybrid electric vehicles. We look forward to using our technical expertise in the automotive sector to bring this technology to the emerging electric vehicle market." ?

Yazaki North America is a Tier 1 automotive supplier with headquarters in Canton, Mich., and is a subsidiary of Yazaki Corporation with headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. As the world's largest supplier of automotive electrical distribution systems (EDS), Yazaki has been at the forefront of the electric vehicle market since its inception with years of experience in high voltage system integration and development. Yazaki supplies products to vehicle manufacturers worldwide with a product portfolio that includes an SAE J1772? compliant Charge Coupler and assembly along with electrical components for hybrid vehicles.

About Yazaki

Yazaki Corporation is a global leader in the research, development and delivery of vehicle power and data solutions for vehicle applications. Yazaki produces electrical distribution systems, Vehicle Information Products, solid-state power centers, connection systems and electronics. Worldwide, the company employs nearly 200,000 people in 39 countries. Yazaki has been committed to the preservation of the environment for over 70 years. The company continues this commitment today through the development of advanced electric components for hybrid electric vehicles, the promotion of recycling and the efficient use of resources. For more information about Yazaki North America, Inc. and its vision for a greener tomorrow, log onto www.yazaki-na.com.

About Evatran

Plugless Power? (www.pluglesspower.com), manufactured by Evatran?, is the first electric vehicle (EV) charging system on the market to offer customers a simple way to charge their EVs with the ease of hands-free, automatic technology. Utilizing inductive technology, which has been used in electrical transformers for more than 100 years, Plugless Power streamlines the charging of electric vehicles by eliminating the nuisance of the cord and the plug. For more information, visit www.pluglesspower.com.

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International company to partner with KU for first electric vehicle charging station in Lawrence

Kansas University has forged a partnership with an international energy management company to bring the first electric vehicle charging station to Lawrence.

This spring, architectural students are building a facility that will house the Center for Design Research on KU’s West Campus at the Chamney Farm property. The facility will focus on developing innovative green technology, including solar energy, wind turbines and an electric vehicle charging station.

KU has decided to partner with Schneider Electric, a global specialist in energy management with operations in more than 100 countries, according to the company’s website.

“It is significant for the state and the electric-vehicle industry,” said Greg Thomas, a KU design professor with the Center for Design Research.

Before selecting Schneider, KU developed a matrix to evaluate companies in the energy-management industry. They were particularly impressed with the company’s electric charger, Thomas said.

The charging station, which will look like a gasoline pump, will have two cords so two vehicles will be charged at the same time. One of those chords will be able to fully power a car much faster than the eight hours it typically takes, Thomas said.

Along with boosting the electric-car market by providing a place for owners to charge vehicles, the charging station will allow for KU to research how to store energy and possibly sell it back to energy companies.

Schneider also will provide an energy management system that will integrate how much energy the wind turbines and solar panels are producing and how much energy is being used. The center will have someone from KU’s Information and Telecommunication Technology Center working to make sure all the different energy sources can communicate with one another.

The building will also be outfitted with Westar’s smart meter, which will connect to the smart grid and give detailed information on energy usage.

Thomas hopes that the partnership with Schneider will encourage other companies to team up with KU for green technology research.

“It’s nice to have them as a pace car,” Thomas said of Schneider.

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