Paying for parking by plugging in may be the new “tap here to pay”. Electric vehicle drivers can now discharge battery power as payment for parking rather than directly trasferring funds from one account to another.
The Nissan Pavilion in Yokohama, Japan is designed to show the possibilities of an electrically-powered future. Inside the pavilion, the Nissan Chaya Cafe operates on power supplied by Nissan Leaf vehicles. Similar exhibits have been shown on a small scale at events in the U.S. where auto show or concert attendees can get milkshakes or coffee made using power from the Leaf.
The Nissan Pavilion is located near the company’s headquarters.Photo courtesy of Nissan Motors
Attendees can also explore a virtual reality realm that lets them experience the thrill of Formula E street racing, or they can go for a ride in the just-revealed Nissan Ariya all-electric crossover. Guests are also invited to play a virtual tennis match with Grand Slam champion and Nissan brand ambassador Naomi Osaka in the Pavilion theater. Additionally, they can learn about Nissan’s Invisible-to-Visible (I2V) technology, which combines information from the real and virtual worlds to assist drivers.
The 10,000-square-meter, zero-emission Pavilion is outfitted with solar panels and supplied with renewable hydroelectric power.
“The Pavilion is a place where customers can see, feel, and be inspired by our near-future vision for society and mobility,” said Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida. “As the world shifts to electric mobility, EVs will be integrated into society in ways that go beyond just transportation.”
The Nissan Ariya is the company’s new all-electric crossover.Photo courtesy of Nissan Motors
In addition to power coming from the sun and Leafs, the company offers Nissan Energy Share and Nissan Energy Storage technologies, which allow electricity from EV batteries to be stored, shared and repurposed, for instance by powering homes or businesses – such as the off-grid cafe in the Nissan Pavilion.
Further, in Japan the company has entered into agreements with local governments allowing Leaf vehicles to be used as mobile batteries in the event of a natural disaster. In another partnership, the company is repurposing used EV batteries to power streetlights.
The immersive Formula E racing exhibit puts attendees behind the wheel of a race car.Photo courtesy of Nissan Motors
The Nissan Pavilion, located near the company’s global headquarters in Yokohama, will be open to the public from August 1 through October 23. To take a virtual tour, visit https://www.thenissannext.com/en/virtual-tour.html.
