Simple charging at the office or on the go

Tokyo, April 18, 2007----SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. (SANYO), the world leader in rechargeable batteries, announced a new "eneloop" series product, the "eneloop" USB charger set^*1 (including two AA size "eneloop" batteries). The USB charger is able to charge two "eneloop" batteries using a USB connector.

"eneloop" is a concept based on recycling, or looping, energy. The first product in a series that embodies this concept is SANYO's "eneloop" battery, a battery which proposes a lifestyle where batteries can be used repeatedly. These batteries can be immediately used out-of-the-package following purchase, be recharged and used for approximately 1,000 times^*2, and be recycled after being completely used. In addition, as the first product realizing SANYO's "Think GAIA" vision, the "eneloop" battery has been very popular in the market and the total shipment amount has reached approximately 24 million units (as of March, 2007) since its release in November 2005.
^*1: Compatible with "eneloop" batteries.
^*2: Battery life based on testing methods established by JIS C8708 2004(4.4)(varies according to conditions of use)

Main features:

1. Compact and easy to carry. The USB cable can be compactly stored inside of the charger after use.
2. Able to be charged from a USB port on personal computers and other compatible electronic devices.
3. Rapid charge for one or two AA and AAA size "eneloop" batteries.
   (For one battery, the charging speed is doubled.)

Outline:

The "eneloop" battery proposes a new product concept as "a lifestyle promoting the change from single-use batteries to rechargeable". The "eneloop" battery has been popular since its release in November 2005. Thanks to "eneloop" batteries, the market share of SANYO brand retail battery products has seen a dramatic increase. For example, the share of SANYO brand charger sets recorded approximately 60%^*3 of the overall Japanese charger set market in 2006.

SANYO supports a wide range of user needs by offering a variety of "eneloop" related products. In addition to AA and AAA size "eneloop" batteries, SANYO has a line up of C size/D size battery adaptors (spacers) which enable users to use a AA size battery as a C size/D size battery, battery chargers compatible with two/four AA or AAA size batteries, rapid chargers and a solar charger.

This is SANYO's first battery charger that utilizes a USB connecter. This USB connector frees users from caring about where to charge or shapes of plug outlets because it doesn't need to connect directly to an AC outlet. It is easy to carry and it doesn't require much space because of its compactness. Along with the recent growth of digital devices equipping the USB port such as personal computers, the demand of the USB charger is expected to expand in the future.

SANYO will continue to promote the concept of "single use to rechargeable" by offering a variety of battery-related products for many more users through our accumulated battery and charging technologies.
^*3: Based on quantity share of Japanese charger set from GfK Japan date (annual average)

Main features:

1. Compact and easy to carry. The USB cable can be compactly stored inside of the charger after use.
   The USB charger is light, weighing about 48g (charger only). The cable can be stored inside of the charger after use. These features make it convenient for people to carry the charger in the occasion of a business trip, etc.
2. Able to be charged from a USB port on personal computers and other compatible electronic devices.
   The batteries are charged through the charger attached to a USB port on found most commonly on personal computers and on other electronic devices, when the device is able to generate and output power (such as when the computer is "On"). There is no need to prepare specific or special power adapters for use overseas. The charger is also convenient when power outlets are fully used in the office or at home.
3. Rapid charge for one or two AA and AAA size "eneloop" batteries.
   (For one battery, the charging speed is doubled.)
   The charging time is approximately 280 minutes for two AA size and 120 minutes for two AAA size batteries. The charging speed is doubled when users charge only one battery at a time.

Specifications