New Industry Products

Leviton Launches Next Generation Electric Vehicle Charging Station

May 08, 2012 by Jeff Shepard

Leviton announced the launch of its Level 2 (240V, 40A) charging station. Designed, tested and assembled in the United States, the next generation Leviton charging station is able to provide 9.6 kW output, and will charge the Toyota RAV4 EV in approximately six hours. It also includes a 25-foot charging cable which offers flexibility in the mounting location.

The weatherproof, thermoplastic NEMA Type 4 enclosure makes the device safe for use in both indoor and outdoor locations. The unit comes standard with Leviton’s patent pending "cord-connected" system, which is well suited for indoor applications, with the capability to be converted to hard-wire for outdoor applications.

"Leviton has designed a next generation charging station that provides unique ergonomics and aesthetics at a leading price point for Toyota consumers," said Michael Mattei, Vice President and General Manager for Leviton’s Commercial and Industrial Business Unit. "Through our relationship with Toyota, customers know the products they purchase are designed by two companies that value safety, quality and efficiency."

The 40A charging station includes an industry-leading ten-year limited product warranty when installed by Leviton’s s highly trained EVSE-certified electrical contractors. As an added customer safety feature, Leviton designed its charging station with supervisory, contactor and ground monitoring circuits, as well as built-in communication to verify proper connection before charging can commence. The device’s "Auto-Restart" feature enables charging to restart following a minor fault, thereby reducing the chance of being stranded with an undercharged battery.

"Toyota has a long-standing commitment to connecting our customers with high-quality products and services such as those provided by Leviton," said Rick LoFaso, Toyota corporate manager, car marketing. "The new 40 amp home charging station is yet another example of how Toyota’s relationship with Leviton helps our electric vehicle customers access solutions that work best for their needs."

More news and information regarding the latest developments in Smart Grid electronics can be found at Darnell’s SmartGridElectronics.Net.