Sustainable infrastructure designer and developer Envision Solar International began a two-week trail of its EV ARC solar electric vehicle charging station yesterday at San Diego International Airport. The charging station is mobile, fully autonomous, and available for use free of charge for plug-in hybrids and EVs. There is a one-hour time limit during the trial period, which is sufficient to “top off” a vehicle, but not to fully charge it.

The charging station – which can generate 16 kilowatt hours per day, and has 22 kWh of on-board battery storage – fits into a standard parking space. Its solar array follows the sun, allowing it to generate 18-25% more electricity than a fixed array. It costs $40,000 before incentives, and is delivered fully assembled. It does not require a foundation, a building permit, a grid connection or installation.

“The fact that the EV ARC can be deployed in minutes and moved if necessary makes it the ideal product to grow out ubiquitous charging networks,” said Envision chief executive Desmond Wheatley.