Japan: Vending Machines That Charge Your Car

Sure, Japanese vending machines got a bad wrap awhile back for selling schoolgirls' underwear, but that was then. If you've been to Tokyo recently, you know and love the machines' for their convenience and ingenuity. For example, unlike their un-evolved counterparts in most of the world, Japanese vending machines have a couple of rows dedicated to hot drinks in winter — tea, coffee, etc. A small, compact can of hot lemon drink in December serves as both a pocketwarmer and a shot of sugar to keep you going until the next soba stand. Genius!

Now AFP reports there's an even better reason to cheer the ubiquitous sentinel of the Japanese street corner: Soon, they'll be able to charge your electric car too.

On Monday, a consortium of Japanese companies announced they would be partnering up to install 10,000 electric chargers at vending machine sites by the end of the year.