Ener1 announced yesterday that it has signed a memorandum of understanding  with Japanese power and utility giant Kyushu Electric Power (KEPCO). Per the memorandum of understanding, the two companies will work together to develop and produce rapid charging stands for electric vehicles. They will use KEPCO’s existing rapid charging station, already in use in Japan, as a base, and customize it with the EnerDel High Energy Pack System from Ener1. The new systems, expected to be available in March of next year, should allow drivers of electric cars to charge their batteries to 80% of capacity in less than 20 minutes.

Here is what Ener1 Chairman and CEO Charles Gassenheimer had to say about the deal:

"Drivers need to know they can recharge an electric car as easily as they fill the tank in today’s conventional vehicles.The batteries are here. What we need is the infrastructure to charge them quickly. We have often suggested that the customer for electric drive is not just the auto manufacturers, but also the integrated power and utility companies. Together with ITOCHU Corporation, we are privileged to work with such prestigious partners on this important project. The opportunity underscores Ener1’s strategy to be a total systems and solutions provider in pioneering the electrification of the automobile."