Sanyo expands eneloop offering for Singapore

Juniper Foo | May 14, 2009

The eneloop Solar Light conveniently doubles as a USB charger. Still, it's good for an emergency top-up when you're far from a PC or AC mains. This is expected to retail for S$255 (US$180.02) at Best Denki, Dufry, Sprintcass, Selffix, Challenger and Homefix. (Credit: Sanyo)

The eneloop Solar Light sports a beam light, panel light which can be configured for a nine, five and single LED light, and an SOS pulse light feature. Charge time: 15-30 daylight hours via solar charger or 3.5 hours through the AC adapter. (Credit: Sanyo)

Here's one less reason to gripe about Japan keeping all the good stuff to itself. Sanyo, the company behind the eco-friendly eneloop rechargeables, is about to spread its green vision further this side of Asia. Singapore will be the first country outside Japan to get an expanded lineup of eneloop offerings come end July, though the company wasn't able to unveil a time frame for the rest of Asia.

The four new products, to launch in July, comprise the D- and C-sized rechargeable batteries, the Universal Charger and the Solar Light.

The product expansion can be seen as a long time in coming, given that eneloop AA- and AAA batteries debuted in the Republic like, oh, three years ago. But better late than never.

eneloop rechargeables hold their charge much like alkaline disposables, giving them an edge over other rechargeable batteries. However, there's a premium to this. The larger-capacity C-sized battery is expected to sell for S$35.60 (US$25.13), and the D-sized battery for S$36.70 (US$25.91). Ouch. (Credit: Sanyo)

Meanwhile, today's media launch saw Hiroaki Shirai, head of Global Sales & Marketing for Sanyo Mobile Energy Company, make a pledge to continue producing eco-friendly products. So these new eneloop offerings won't be the last we'll see for some time. Sanyo's solar recharger may possibly be on the cards for Singapore, with more solar devices in the pipeline like the eneloop bike, under Sanyo's Clean Energy Loop program which targets the use of solar energy.

Which is all good since this can only offer up more green lifestyle choices. Just to twist the guilt knife a little, every year, about 40 billion batteries get thrown away.

The Universal Charger takes it all on, from AAA-sized to D-sized batteries. What we like is that each battery is individually monitored by status lights that show blue or red, and controlled by a built-in microcomputer that prevents overcharging. Expected price: S$94.90 (US$66.00). (Credit: Sanyo)

Filed under: Gadgets, Green Tech
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