The EV Project is rolling out in 16 U.S. cities and will be installing chargers in homes, workplaces and public places. San Francisco based ECOtality is managing the project. ChargePoint America is a program brought to you by Silicon Valley based Coulomb Technologies that will also be offering, and installing, free chargers. Both companies are designing smart chargers which will be part of a wireless network. Members could use their smart phones, or a web portal, not only to find stations but to make a reservation, pay for a charge, find out if service has been interrupted or their car is fully revved up. Smart chargers are also designed to work better with our antiquated electric grid.
Both ECOtality and Coulomb will be installing some fast chargers in major metropolitan areas by January. These high speed chargers can rev up a car, like Nissan’s all-electric Leaf, in less than thirty minutes. Look for these chargers at some gas stations, super markets, coffee houses and highway truck stops.
Coulomb Technologies ChargePoint America dock.
If you can’t score a free charger from a charging company, you can try your local air district. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District has a plan to install 5000 chargers in homes, apartment buildings and work places in the next few years. They are considering requests.
In addition to shopping for a charger, drivers should think about notifying their utility that they might be increasing their load at home. Apparently, utilities like PG and E require they be notified so they can send someone out to check the impact on the neighborhood grid. The good news is California utilities are offering overnight discounted charging rates. The bad news is you would never know about it because it is very hard to find anything on their website that remotely resembles advice about electric vehicles. Southern California Edison, on the other hand, has a great site for drivers considering the electric options.
Now we just have to cross our fingers that some brave early adopters will take the leap and the charging companies will follow through to keep pace with the need for places to recharge.
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