Last month, Eaton and Murphy Oil USA teamed up to demonstrate the convenience of electric vehicle (EV) charging at gas stations. Now, ECOtality, BP and ARCO are joining in on the action as well. Under terms of this agreement, ECOtality will install 45 fast-charging stations – you know, the ones that take 30 minutes or less to fill a typical electric vehicle from empty to about 80 percent full – at BP and ARCO locations beginning next March. Exact sites for the chargers have yet to be determined, but some of them will show up in Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga and up and down the West Coast in cities that have been singled out under The EV Project. Of course, the addition of fast-charge stations in Tennessee will likely boost the Nissan Leaf's appeal in the area. Tennessee is, after all, an early rollout state for the Leaf.
ECOtality has chosen to enlist Blink to supply the fast-charge stations. Blink's latest addition to its lineup, the DC Fast Charger was also unveiled this week. It is outfitted with two CHAdeMO connectors, but you can't actually send power to two cars at once. You can plug two cars in at one time, but the unit's 50 kW draw on the grid would be doubled to 100 kW if both cars were fast-charged at once. Blink told AutoblogGreen that there aren't many places that can handle this sort of power spike, so the charger is designed to allow drivers to plug in their car and the system will make sure it charges as soon as possible while they're off doing other things.
The charge station also has smart meter capability, smartphone access and a monstrous 42-inch LCD display. That screen, which is designed to display information relevant to the charging process, can also function in other ways, thus "extending the consumer experience." Which is another way of saying that it makes an ideal surface for advertising. Hit the jump for more on ECOtality's recent agreement to install Blink fast-charge stations at select BP and ARCO locations. Hat tip to Dag!
[Source: ECOtality]
PRESS RELEASE
ECOtality to create a pilot network of Blink DC fast charging stations
Blink Network DC fast charging stations to be located at 45 BP and ARCO locations as part of The EV Project
SAN FRANCISCO – Wednesday, October 13, 2010 – ECOtality, Inc. (NASDAQ:ECTY), a leader in clean electric transportation and storage technologies, today announced that BP Products North America Inc., a partner in The EV Project, will install ECOtality's Blink electric vehicle (EV) DC Fast Chargers at 45 BP and ARCO locations. Blink DC Fast Chargers will be available to the public at BP and ARCO locations as early as March of 2011.
"When people think of refueling their cars, they think of gas stations, and we're excited to work with BP to demonstrate a new way of fueling cars to the American driver," said Jonathan Read, CEO of ECOtality. "We designed our Blink DC fast chargers to meet the needs of both retailers and consumers and make electric vehicles a reality. As BP and ARCO locations are situated along major traffic routes we believe that DC fast charging is ideal for these types of locations."
"Individual ownership of electric cars is still a relatively new concept" said Kevin Phelan, Vice President of Sales and Marketing with BP. "We understand the importance of finding future energy solutions and this pilot allows us to test EV charging technology, gather real-world data and learn about how motorists use and charge electric vehicles.
BP will test and evaluate the Blink DC Fast Chargers at 45 different BP and ARCO locations as part of BP's participation in The EV Project. Working with BP, ECOtality will determine the best location for DC Fast Charger stations utilizing the company's Micro-Climate™ process. Location considerations will be made based upon population density and transportation corridors in each project region. BP is expected to install DC Fast Chargers at select BP and ARCO locations in and around the major pilot markets of The EV Project which include Phoenix (AZ), Tucson (AZ), San Diego (CA), Los Angeles (CA), Portland (OR), Eugene (OR), Salem (OR), Corvallis (OR), Seattle (WA), Nashville (TN), Knoxville (TN) and Chattanooga (TN). DC Fast Chargers will be available at select BP locations beginning in March 2011.
"One of The EV Project's goals is to break the common misconceptions with EVs, and our fast chargers will solve two of the major EV myths," said Don Karner, President of ECOtality North America. "The project will make sure that there are readily available public chargers nationwide, and that drivers can charge their cars quickly and easily at locations convenient to them. By removing these barriers to adoption and creating rich charging infrastructure, we will drive consumer EV implementation."
ECOtality is the project manager for The EV Project, an initiative that will include the installation of approximately 15,000 charging stations in 16 cities and major metropolitan areas in six states, and will place 8,300 EVs on the road. The project is funded with a $114.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The grants are matched by private investment, bringing the total value of the project to approximately $230 million.
About BP Products North America, Inc.
BP markets more than 15 billion gallons of gasoline every year to U.S. consumers through more than 11,000 BP and ARCO branded retail outlets and supplies more than four billion gallons of fuel annually to fleets, industrial users, auto and truck manufacturers, railroads and utilities.
BP is the single, global brand formed by the combination of the former British Petroleum, Amoco Corporation, Atlantic Richfield (ARCO) and Burmah Castrol. BP is a global producer, manufacturer and marketer of oil, gas, chemicals and renewable energy solutions.
About ECOtality, Inc.
ECOtality, Inc. (NASDAQ:ECTY), headquartered in San Francisco, California, is a leader in clean electric transportation and storage technologies. Through innovation, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships, ECOtality accelerates the market applicability of advanced electric technologies to replace carbon-based fuels. For more information about ECOtality, Inc., please visit www.ecotality.com.
About The Blink DC Fast Charger
The Blink DC Fast Charger is the highest-power charging station currently on the market, and is capable of providing a full charge in less than 30 minutes. The dual port design ensures maximum availability for drivers seeking to obtain a quick charge while minimizing the total power that must be supplied by the host. The Blink design provides intelligent, user-friendly features to intuitively and safely charge electric vehicles, including easy payment options, interactive touch screen displays and web-based information delivery. A smartphone application is also integrated within the Blink Network and allows users to access charge station locations and GPS navigation, charge status and notifications of completed or interrupted charging.
The DC Fast Charger is outfitted with a 42" LCD display that provides an optional venue for media and advertising. In addition, the exterior treatments and graphics of the unit are completely customizable, allowing BP and other businesses to rebrand based on location. Blink Network media content will be customizable and broadcast across Blink Network charger locations nationwide.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain as they are based on current expectations and assumptions concerning future events or future performance of the company. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are only predictions and speak only as of the date hereof. In evaluating such statements, prospective investors should review carefully various risks and uncertainties identified in this release and matters set in the company's SEC filings. These risks and uncertainties could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements.
ECOtality has chosen to enlist Blink to supply the fast-charge stations. Blink's latest addition to its lineup, the DC Fast Charger was also unveiled this week. It is outfitted with two CHAdeMO connectors, but you can't actually send power to two cars at once. You can plug two cars in at one time, but the unit's 50 kW draw on the grid would be doubled to 100 kW if both cars were fast-charged at once. Blink told AutoblogGreen that there aren't many places that can handle this sort of power spike, so the charger is designed to allow drivers to plug in their car and the system will make sure it charges as soon as possible while they're off doing other things.
The charge station also has smart meter capability, smartphone access and a monstrous 42-inch LCD display. That screen, which is designed to display information relevant to the charging process, can also function in other ways, thus "extending the consumer experience." Which is another way of saying that it makes an ideal surface for advertising. Hit the jump for more on ECOtality's recent agreement to install Blink fast-charge stations at select BP and ARCO locations. Hat tip to Dag!
[Source: ECOtality]
PRESS RELEASE
ECOtality to create a pilot network of Blink DC fast charging stations
Blink Network DC fast charging stations to be located at 45 BP and ARCO locations as part of The EV Project
SAN FRANCISCO – Wednesday, October 13, 2010 – ECOtality, Inc. (NASDAQ:ECTY), a leader in clean electric transportation and storage technologies, today announced that BP Products North America Inc., a partner in The EV Project, will install ECOtality's Blink electric vehicle (EV) DC Fast Chargers at 45 BP and ARCO locations. Blink DC Fast Chargers will be available to the public at BP and ARCO locations as early as March of 2011.
"When people think of refueling their cars, they think of gas stations, and we're excited to work with BP to demonstrate a new way of fueling cars to the American driver," said Jonathan Read, CEO of ECOtality. "We designed our Blink DC fast chargers to meet the needs of both retailers and consumers and make electric vehicles a reality. As BP and ARCO locations are situated along major traffic routes we believe that DC fast charging is ideal for these types of locations."
"Individual ownership of electric cars is still a relatively new concept" said Kevin Phelan, Vice President of Sales and Marketing with BP. "We understand the importance of finding future energy solutions and this pilot allows us to test EV charging technology, gather real-world data and learn about how motorists use and charge electric vehicles.
BP will test and evaluate the Blink DC Fast Chargers at 45 different BP and ARCO locations as part of BP's participation in The EV Project. Working with BP, ECOtality will determine the best location for DC Fast Charger stations utilizing the company's Micro-Climate™ process. Location considerations will be made based upon population density and transportation corridors in each project region. BP is expected to install DC Fast Chargers at select BP and ARCO locations in and around the major pilot markets of The EV Project which include Phoenix (AZ), Tucson (AZ), San Diego (CA), Los Angeles (CA), Portland (OR), Eugene (OR), Salem (OR), Corvallis (OR), Seattle (WA), Nashville (TN), Knoxville (TN) and Chattanooga (TN). DC Fast Chargers will be available at select BP locations beginning in March 2011.
"One of The EV Project's goals is to break the common misconceptions with EVs, and our fast chargers will solve two of the major EV myths," said Don Karner, President of ECOtality North America. "The project will make sure that there are readily available public chargers nationwide, and that drivers can charge their cars quickly and easily at locations convenient to them. By removing these barriers to adoption and creating rich charging infrastructure, we will drive consumer EV implementation."
ECOtality is the project manager for The EV Project, an initiative that will include the installation of approximately 15,000 charging stations in 16 cities and major metropolitan areas in six states, and will place 8,300 EVs on the road. The project is funded with a $114.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The grants are matched by private investment, bringing the total value of the project to approximately $230 million.
About BP Products North America, Inc.
BP markets more than 15 billion gallons of gasoline every year to U.S. consumers through more than 11,000 BP and ARCO branded retail outlets and supplies more than four billion gallons of fuel annually to fleets, industrial users, auto and truck manufacturers, railroads and utilities.
BP is the single, global brand formed by the combination of the former British Petroleum, Amoco Corporation, Atlantic Richfield (ARCO) and Burmah Castrol. BP is a global producer, manufacturer and marketer of oil, gas, chemicals and renewable energy solutions.
About ECOtality, Inc.
ECOtality, Inc. (NASDAQ:ECTY), headquartered in San Francisco, California, is a leader in clean electric transportation and storage technologies. Through innovation, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships, ECOtality accelerates the market applicability of advanced electric technologies to replace carbon-based fuels. For more information about ECOtality, Inc., please visit www.ecotality.com.
About The Blink DC Fast Charger
The Blink DC Fast Charger is the highest-power charging station currently on the market, and is capable of providing a full charge in less than 30 minutes. The dual port design ensures maximum availability for drivers seeking to obtain a quick charge while minimizing the total power that must be supplied by the host. The Blink design provides intelligent, user-friendly features to intuitively and safely charge electric vehicles, including easy payment options, interactive touch screen displays and web-based information delivery. A smartphone application is also integrated within the Blink Network and allows users to access charge station locations and GPS navigation, charge status and notifications of completed or interrupted charging.
The DC Fast Charger is outfitted with a 42" LCD display that provides an optional venue for media and advertising. In addition, the exterior treatments and graphics of the unit are completely customizable, allowing BP and other businesses to rebrand based on location. Blink Network media content will be customizable and broadcast across Blink Network charger locations nationwide.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain as they are based on current expectations and assumptions concerning future events or future performance of the company. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are only predictions and speak only as of the date hereof. In evaluating such statements, prospective investors should review carefully various risks and uncertainties identified in this release and matters set in the company's SEC filings. These risks and uncertainties could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements.
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