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Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announces that it has installed a Smart Mobility Park electric mobility charging station at Toyota Ecoful Town, its low-carbon society model district located in Toyota City.
While functioning as a hub for electric mobility sharing, the Smart Mobility Park can also generate and store electrical power, making it possible to reduce the burden on the electricity grid. The station is based on the Toyota Smart Mobility Park concept unveiled at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show and features two main aspects:
1. Electric Mobility Sharing Hub
The station functions as a hub for electric mobility vehicle sharing for short distance travel and is planned for use as a Ha:mo1 Ride2 station from autumn this year. Ha:mo Ride is an electric mobility sharing service for short distances such as the last few kilometers from the nearest public transportation point to a final destination.
Three “COMS” (produced by Toyota Auto Body) ultra-compact single-occupant electric vehicles (EVs), and five “PAS” (produced by Yamaha Motor) power-assisted bicycles have been set up for users to try out. Vehicle rental is automated through the use of IC cards for authentication and vehicle unlocking, and test drives of the COMS and PAS are possible within Toyota Ecoful Town.
2. Energy Management and Power Generation, Storage and Supply
The station is equipped with solar power generating and electricity storage functions so that it can charge vehicles using independently generated electricity or power-grid electricity. It is also fitted with general household power outlets so that, in times of emergency, it can also supply stored electricity to electrical appliances.
Station monitor displays show electricity-related information such as generation and storage, power grid usage and vehicle charging status. Values are measured minute-by-minute and energy is managed so that electricity stored during the night can be used to supplement insufficient power generation during the day.
Based on data gathered from households participating in Toyota City energy data management systems (EDMS) verification tests3, TMC plans to work with regional EDMS to manage energy for charging stations and reduce the burden on regional power grids.
Since October 2012, TMC has been testing the urban transportation system Ha:mo in cooperation with Toyota City and transportation operators4. Four vehicle stations have been set up in Toyota City at Chukyo University and its nearest public transport points to provide 11 COMS and 10 PAS units for use in the Ha:mo Ride electric mobility sharing service. This autumn, TMC plans to expand the service area to central Toyota City and provide a fee-based service using approximately 100 ultra-compact single-occupant EVs and 100 power-assisted bicycles at 20 stations for 1,000 members.
