Honda adding 120 EV chargers to Torrance Campus; 50kW DC fast charger adjacent to campus
15 October 2015
In an effort to increase the use of alternative fuel vehicles by its associates for daily commuting, and to prepare for a new generation of plug-in vehicles set to arrive by 2018, Honda is adding 120 new electric vehicle (EV) chargers on the Torrance, CA headquarter campus of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. The new chargers (Level 2 SAE J1772 6.6 kW units from Chargepoint) will be installed in two phases, the first of which has already begun.
To support the local community in conjunction with the project, Honda is installing a publicly-accessible DC fast charger on Harpers Way, adjacent to its campus, which will enable Torrance residents to rapidly refuel EVs equipped with DC charging capabilities. The fee-based 50 kW DC Fast charger will open in early 2016 and will support both the CHAdeMO and SAE Combo standards.
Ultimately, Honda estimates that the chargers will enable hundreds of its associates to use an EV for their daily commute.
Making workplace charging ubiquitous and accessible is the cornerstone of an effective public charging strategy that supports the maximum number of vehicle. This expansion will make commuting in an EV a convenient option for the vast majority of Honda associates in Torrance, including those without access to charging at their homes or apartment buildings.
—Steven Center, vice president of Honda’s Environmental Business Development Office and Product Regulatory Office
Funding for the project was provided, in part, by a California Energy Commission (CEC) grant. Honda’s announcement coincides with its participation in “Drive the Dream 2015,” an event hosted by the California Plug-in Electric Vehicle Collaborative and attended by Governor Jerry Brown to encourage businesses across the state to install workplace charging.
Honda will offer several next-generation, advanced powertrain vehicles, including a new fuel cell vehicle (FCV) set to launch next year, followed by a new battery-electric model and a new plug-in hybrid model by 2018.
The new EV chargers on the Torrance campus will complement existing refueling options on-site, including compressed natural gas and hydrogen refueling stations.
Honda has set a goal to reduce its total corporate CO2 emissions by 50% by the year 2050, compared to 2000 levels. In 2006, Honda was the first auto company to voluntarily and publicly commit to global reductions in its CO2 emissions.
This seems to be serious business from Honda with 120 new high capacity 50 KW DC chargers at the same place plus many new BEVs and FECEVs in the very near future.
Good news for BEVs and FCEVs and associated charging facilities.
Posted by: HarveyD | 15 October 2015 at 10:03 AM
Harvey,
What the hell do the chargers have to do with the FCEVs??? LOL Sure they mentioned that Honda HAS some FCEVs, but they also have ICE vehicles and the charges have nothing to do with them either. :)
Posted by: DaveD | 16 October 2015 at 12:56 PM