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Solving local issues and improving the EV experience at the same time Launched the “PLUGO PLACE” project, an EV charging station that enriches charging time.

As a first step, we collaborate with the Nagano Tourism Organization

Provide sightseeing contents and EV charging service in one place

 

PLUGO Inc. (Higashi-Gotanda, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo  Representative Director & CEO: Mr. Naoki Okawa), a provider of EV charging services, will improve the EV experiences and form a charging infrastructure model closely linked to the area. We are launching a project to install “PLUGO PLACE,” EV charging stations in Japan that offer integrated charging services with shopping, dining, and rest areas. The first location is expected to be completed by the end of 2024, with the goal of establishing 600 locations by the end of 2030.

By designing EV charging stations suited to each region and content that makes charging time meaningful, we provide EV users with the peace of mind and enjoyment of charging. Along with this, we will accelerate the EV shift by solving regional issues and creating new human flows.

 

We are looking for a wide range of co-creation partners for the project, including real estate developers, local governments, and service providers such as food and beverage, entertainment, and secondary transportation. As a first step, we collaborate with the Nagano Tourism Organization to form a consortium led by local companies. In the future, we promote plans to install charging stations in urban areas, suburban areas, and tourist spots, taking advantage of the characteristics of each location.

―「PLUGO PLACE」Outline―

Provide reliable and secure charging stations for EV users

The charging station is equipped with “PLUGO RAPID” DC charger with a maximum usage time of 60 minutes. You can make reservations in advance through the dedicated “My PLUGO” app, ensuring reliable and secure charging.

Proposal of charging time to enrich life with EV

To make the time spent charging more meaningful, we provide you content such as shopping, dining, rest areas, and entertainment. We expand the convenience of “charging while doing” and the experience that is possible only with EV.

Use of land in line with EV proliferation

By making PLUGO PLACE as EV transportation hub, the project will contribute to the decarbonization of the region by electrifying the vehicles that live in or visit the neighborhood. In addition, the project will create a new flow of people in the suburban areas and reduce traffic congestion in urban areas. It is also expected to be utilized for idle land in roadside and populated areas, as well as in newly developed areas.

• Business Background

In Japan, we aim to achieve 100% electric vehicle sales for new vehicles by 2035, and have set a goal of installing 150,000 charging infrastructures by 2030 (*1). While the development of charging infrastructure is essential for the EV shift, more than half of EV users cite “it takes time to charge” as a concern for EV (*2). Therefore, it is also important to design EV charging services that take charging time into consideration. According to our research, nearly 80% of EV users prefer to use facilities with charging facilities when they go out, a mode of behavior different from that of gasoline-powered vehicles that stop at service stations to get around.

 

This will eliminate EV users’ charging concerns by combining an experience that allows them to spend their charging time in a meaningful way with a location where they want to generate a flow of people. It can also be said that charging infrastructure can be developed with land utilization in mind.

We have introduced charging stations that can be reserved in advance at golf courses, hotels, commercial facilities, and other locations. We have also gained knowledge through agreements with local governments in Nagatoro-machi, Saitama Prefecture, Obuse-machi, Nagano Prefecture, and Karuizawa-machi, where we have worked to develop charging infrastructure. In addition to this, we have developed a new charging infrastructure model that brings together the creativity of the “PLUGO DESIGN CENTER”, the first EV charging service provider in Japan.

• About our first co-creation partner, Nagano Tourism Organization

The project aims to establish EV charging stations that provide sightseeing content such as food and art, utilizing idle land along the tourist road.

 

[Comments from Mr. Keisuke Sato, Executive Director, Nagano Tourism Organization]

Looking ahead to the future spread of EVs, we believe it is extremely important for tourist destinations to develop a charging infrastructure that allows EV users to go out with peace of mind.

In addition, it is not enough just to be able to charge the batteries. By proposing services that allow EV users to experience local attractions in terms of how they spend the waiting time for charging, we can increase the satisfaction of EV users’ trips and create opportunities for tourist destinations to stimulate consumption. We hope that our collaboration with PLUGO, which emphasizes the value of the EV user experience, will promote the development of next-generation transportation infrastructure that is environmentally friendly and provides high added value for users.

[Nagano Tourism Organization Overview]

Name : Nagano Tourism Organization
Address: 3F Hotel Shinanoji, 131-4 Naka-Gosho Okada-machi, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture
Representative ：Mr. Kanji Nohara, President
Establishment ：December 14, 1960
Business description: We carry out business related to tourism promotion by making use of the rich and beautiful nature and diverse traditions and culture of Nagano Prefecture.
As a result, the aim is to contribute to the growth of the tourism industry in Nagano Prefecture, the improvement of the lives and culture of the citizens of the prefecture, and the development of the local economy by widely disseminating the appeal of the products of the prefecture and expanding sales.

URL ：https://www.nagano-tabi.net/kikou/

Website for overview of “PLUGO PLACE” and recruitment of partners

https://plugoplace.plugo.co.jp/en

*1  In the “Green Growth Strategy Accompanying Carbon Neutrality in 2050” (March 18, 2021), it was indicated that “comprehensive measures will be taken to achieve 100% electric vehicles in new passenger car sales by 2035.” Electric vehicles here refer to electric vehicles, fuel cell vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles, and hybrid vehicles.

*2 From Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, Inc., “FY2021 Passenger Car Market Trend Survey” (released on April 20, 2022).