Back  in January, THINK electric vehicle company announced that its working with AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) to develop high end charging or fast charging for the THINK City electric vehicle (EV).  AV is one of the leaders in fast charging worldwide for electric cars.  As you can imagine, this is intended to jump-start the fast-charge infrastructure in the United States.  This is a huge development for the company since it will currently provide EV owners the opportunity to fast charge their car like they would refuel their vehicle.  I might take slightly longer, but it's cheaper and zero tailpipe emissions.

There is no question that for mass acceptance of the electric car, their is not just a need for EVs to be introduced into the marketplace.  It has to be as easy as fueling a car so the transition is easier. 

“THINK and AeroVironment are setting a new standard for extremely quick re-charging – zero to 80 percent in just 15 minutes,” said THINK CEO Richard Canny. “This is a major leap forward for electric vehicles. The development and deployment of very-fast-charge stations will help speed the electrification of automobiles in the United States and globally.”

“For electric vehicles to achieve broad adoption as a practical alternative to gasoline-powered cars, safe, reliable and accessible charging infrastructure is necessary,” said Michael Bissonette, AV senior vice president and general manager of its Efficient Energy Systems business segment. “Our portfolio of true fast-charge systems, commercial opportunity charge stations, and overnight home charge stations will help drivers integrate electric vehicles, such as the THINK City, into their lives and realize the benefits of zero emission transportation.”

THINK also announced that it has chosen EnerDel, the Indiana-based lithium ion battery manufacturer, to be the exclusive battery supplier for THINK City electric vehicles sold in the U.S. through 2012. EnerDel also will supply at least 60 percent of the batteries for THINK City electric vehicles sold in Europe.

 “EnerDel has developed an extremely energy-dense lithium ion battery for the THINK City,” said EnerDel President Rick Stanley. “This battery has been designed from the earliest stages of cell development to accommodate the surge of current required for a new standard of rapid charging.”

THINK City, to be sold in the United States beginning this year, will have a top speed of more than 70 miles per hour and a range of more than 100 miles per full charge. THINK City has an onboard AC charger that can be coupled with an economically priced 220-volt THINK home charging station to provide overnight charging for the vehicle. It can also be charged using 110-volt current on a regular household outlet. The fast-charge system will be a supplementary alternative for customers’ added sense of security and for fleets with daily mileage requirements exceeding the car’s range.

THINK recently announced plans for a North American manufacturing facility in Elkhart, Indiana, where the company will build the THINK City beginning early in 2011. The new facility will be in addition to THINK’s current manufacturing capability in Finland, where it has contracted with Valmet to build the THINK City.

THINK wants to give commercial fleet customers in the U.S. first dibs on the fast-charge system.  Yet, he wants and anticipates that commercial enterprises – including shopping malls, convenience stores and parking garages – will quickly see the value in offering fast-charging services for their customers as a way to grow business and to demonstrate environmental responsibility.

This is a guest post from The Green Living Guy , Seth Leitman. Seth is the Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author, Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and a Environmental Consultant on green living. The Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides and more. Seth's books range from:

• Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant and Seth Leitman
• Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle by Seth Leitman
• Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel
• Green Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky
• Solar Power For Your Home by David Findley
• Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke
• Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley
• and more green living books to follow.