GE unveils pricing, updates rollout schedule for Wattstation electric vehicle chargers

Last week, GE unveiled the WattStation, the company's new smart-grid-connected Level 2 charger that gets its unique look from industrial designer Yves Behar. Though the WattStation is impressive to gaze upon, we're much more interested in the practical side of things, like price and projected release dates.

GE will release two distinct versions of the WattStation, one intended for home use and the other for commercial applications. Though GE's initial press release, found after the jump, is vague on details, Green Car Advisor managed to uncover some additional info. In an email correspondence with Green Car Advisor, GE spokeswoman Megan Parker revealed:

The commercial model will cost between $3,000-7,000 depending on order specifications. The residential unit will cost between $1,000-1,500.

In addition, Parker suggests that the home version will be available in the U.S. in limited numbers before the end of the year and notes that widespread distribution will kick off during the second quarter of 2011. While $1,000-1,500 may sound exceptionally low, installation can be extremely costly and some chargers out there may set you back even less.

[Source: Green Car Advisor]

PRESS RELEASE

GE Introduces Smart Grid-Compatible Electric Vehicle Charger

* GE WattStation™ is an easy-to-use electric vehicle charger designed by renowned industrial designer Yves Behar
* Will help utility companies manage electricity demand, expanding consumer access to electric vehicle charging stations
* Significantly decreases time required for full car charging

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, July 13, 2010 – GE (NYSE: GE) today introduced the GE WattStation, an easy-to-use electric vehicle (EV) charger. Designed to help accelerate the adoption of plug-in electric vehicles, GE WattStation significantly decreases time needed for vehicle charging and, using smart grid technology, allows utility companies to manage the impact of electric vehicles on the local and regional grids.

Steve Fludder, vice president of GE ecomagination, said, "Widespread electric vehicle adoption depends on having charging stations that integrate the need for quick charging with the personal need for easy functionality. GE WattStation will meet this challenge."

Combining functionality with consumer friendly form from renowned industrial designer Yves Behar, the GE WattStation on average decreases electric vehicle charging time from 12-18 hours to as little as four to eight hours compared to standard charging "level 1", assuming a full-cycle charge for a 24 kWh battery.

"Good design is when a new technology enters our life and makes it simpler, beautiful and healthy" said Yves Behar, founder of fuseproject. "The GE WattStation achieves this with a welcoming design that is seamlessly integrated in the urban landscape and becomes a natural part of our daily driving routine"

Dan Heintzelman, president & CEO GE Energy Services, said, "For more than 100 years GE has worked to optimize energy use. Given our expertise in electrical distribution, WattStation is a natural progression in our commitment to creating cutting edge innovation for the next century."

GE WattStation will be commercially available globally in 2011. GE will unveil a specialized home version of the charger later this year.

In addition to the GE WattStation, GE recently announced two new partnerships to advance electric vehicle adoption. In April 2010, Project Get Ready, a non-profit initiative led by Rocky Mountain Institute to help communities prepare for electric vehicles, named GE a technical advisor focusing on design and planning of the local and regional electric grids for electric vehicles.

In May 2010, GE Global Research and Nissan signed a separate three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore new technologies that are needed to build a reliable, dynamic smart-charging infrastructure.

For more information on GE WattStation, including preorder details, please visit www.ecomagination.com/wattstation.