$20 All-You-Can-Eat Charging Buffet? Japan's Got It, But There's a Catch…

Image Credit: ENECHANGE.

Japan, the land of sushi and samurai, is now serving up unlimited EV charging for a measly $20 a month. Yes, $20 for all the charging your EV can take. ENECHANGE, a Japanese company with a name that sounds like a Transformer on an energy drink, is unleashing its "ENECHANGE Passport" – an all-you-can-eat buffet for electric vehicles.

Now, before you start doing the electric slide, let's pump the brakes a bit. This ain't your typical American buffet where you can gorge yourself on fried chicken and mac 'n' cheese 24/7. ENECHANGE is a bit more... shall we say, disciplined. They've got these fancy Level 2 chargers spread across 1,800 locations, but you can only pig out on the electrons between 7 AM and 4 PM. Think of it as an early bird special for your EV.

Why the time restriction, you ask? Well, it seems the Japanese are keen on harnessing the power of the sun, so they're encouraging you to charge when solar power is plentiful. It does sound vaguely similar to eating your veggies before dessert, but hey, it's good for the planet, right? If you dare to charge your EV outside the designated hours, you'll be slapped with a fee of 55 JPY ($0.35) for every 10 minutes. 

Image Credit: ENECHANGE.

So, what's the catch? Well, these Level 2 chargers aren't exactly speed demons. They only deliver a 6 kW charge rate, which means you'll be spending a good chunk of time at these charging stations. It's more akin to having a leisurely brunch, a dessert, couple of episodes of your favorite drama and then dinner, rather than a quick bite at a fast-food joint.

But hey, for $20 a month, who's complaining? It's cheaper than a gym membership, and you're not even breaking a sweat! ENECHANGE claims that even if you charge for 10 hours a day for 30 days straight, it's still more cost-effective than paying for a single session on their app.

So, if you happen to find yourself cruising around Japan in your electric chariot, keep an eye out for those ENECHANGE chargers. Just remember to set your alarm clock and don't be tempted by those late-night charging sessions. After all, even an all-you-can-eat buffet has its rules.

Image Credit: ENECHANGE.

And for those of you wondering about the specs, these chargers are compatible with both EVs and PHEVs. They're designed to be installed at places like shopping malls and tourist spots, so you can juice up while you shop or sightsee. 

Now, whether this unlimited charging scheme will actually convince more Japanese drivers to ditch their gas guzzlers remains to be seen. It's certainly an interesting experiment. And who knows, maybe it'll inspire other countries to follow suit.

Who would have thought? Japan has an electrifying answer to the EV charging conundrum. It might not be perfect, but it's a step in the right direction. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to find a charging station where I can plug in my laptop and write my next article. After all, even a journalist needs to recharge every now and then.