Nissan and its affiliate 4R Energy Corp. have teamed up with the Town of Namie, Japan, to install new streetlights that will be powered by a combination of solar panels and used batteries from Nissan LEAF electric vehicles (EVs).
The project, entitled “The Reborn Light,” aims to provide public lighting for Namie’s residents as part of the town’s recovery efforts following the earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011, says Nissan.
The project uses the growing number of used car batteries that will become available as EVs increase in popularity around the world, according to the automaker.
Nissan and 4R have created a new type of outdoor lighting that operates completely off the main power grid and requires no electric cables or outlets. Full-scale installation is expected to begin this year.
