Sounds strange- but you can learn so much from a failed attempt to do something! I go through the process and take some comments from EV (Electric Car) drivers in the US as I do NOT successfully charge my electric car using the Aeon Mall charging fast charger system. I didn't manage to do it just after I finished this video (of course) and will go back to do a follow up video to show how to successfully charge.
Trying out the fast charger at AEON Mall #japan #EV #ElectricCar #ElectricVehicle #charging #infrastructure today
I've wanted to try this WAON charging port for a while now to have as an option when traveling away from my usual home charger and a Tesla supercharger as I have the standard (not long) range model and max charge is at 350km (217 miles)
It was harder to navigate than I expected and actually turned into a trial & error challenge as it was almost impossible to read the sun weathered screen with an impossible glare on it and confusing instructions in Japanese as well π© But I managed to get it done in the end π
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If you have a TESLA car, you will need to buy an attachment to connect to non-Tesla chargers in Japan. One of the small attachments that comes standard with all Teslas sold in Japan works for low-powered charging, but for fast charging, you will need a bigger attachment such as shown in the photo below which costs upwards of 20,000 yen ($200). 
== AEON charger Review ==
Good points π
WAON rechargeable card payment - pay-as-you-go without a need for a monthly membership sign-up commitment or regular charges even when not using it (which is the usual ChaDeMo system).
300 yen ($3) 30 min is very reasonably priced for about 100km charge
Partially Solar power sourced renewable energy at the AEON mall chain
Convenient network of EV chargers at AEON malls across Japan
Shop/eat while you charge - so even if using the less powerful chargers it's okay for a little battery top-up
Unique Japan WAON Branding
Cute #rechargable #reusable #payasyougo ι»εγγγΌ #digitalmoney card you can use which makes a little woof/bark sound when used πΆ
My card is the Carp baseball team since I am in Hiroshima, this is a great way to get locals more interested in signing up for these cards by connecting to something local people love. This could also be a selling point to appeal to visitors as souvenirs.
All in all happy with result of almost 100km (62 miles) in 30 min charging for 300 yen ($3) thanks @aeonmall_03 Aeon Mall for offering the #EV charging infrastructure partially powered by #renewableenergy much appreciated π #sustainability #driving #japan #charging #ElectricCar 
Bad Points - Need to Improve π©
1) Too many machines!
Which machine do I use?
Answer : the thin one with the card reader not the big one with the big I want to press it buttons on them π #charging #japan #EV #ElectricCar #electricvehicle
The larger machine is where you get the charging attachment, so it seems like a machine you need to engage with, but upon closer inspection it tells you not to do anything and refers you to the smaller machine. So, don't do anything on the bigger machine beside take the charging connection off to fit to your car Don't press the red, blue or green button no matter how tempting those buttons are! π
#charging #japan
2) Impossible to see the screen to select charging method and payment π©
Definitely the biggest hurdle to success is difficulty reading the screen - almost impossible to see even if it's shaded, and even if you're able to navigate through the many steps of information and selection process in confusing Japanese π€π§
Tips to Make it a Better System:
1) Design Upgrade
Japan Excels at Cute Icons, Signs and Explanations. So, how about adding more diagrams and a cute step by step of How to Use + How to Charge with pictures πMaking a simpler selection system on a machine that can be read even after it is weathered by the sun is also a very important update needed.
2) Simplify the process and amount of information
Cover the larger machine if customers shouldn't use it to simplify the process.
3) Multilingual Information Covers Future EV Trends in Japan for Travel
I believe we can expect to also see EV's and plug-in Hybrids in use by visitors through rental car and carshare services in Japan in the next 5 years, added a multilingual version of the machine selection process is an important update for this system.
There are many best-practice examples of companies in Japan - such as the post-office and carshare / coin parking companies - which are already good at integrating multilingual processes, payment at their machines.
#EV #charging #Japan #infrastructure
If you have any comments or questions if you are thinking of buying or renting an Electric Car in Japan, feel free to get in touch- my DMs are open!