Coulomb Technologies and Aker Wade Power Technologies are joining forces to launch fast charging stations for electric vehicles worldwide this autumn.

The two companies will develop Level III networked fast charging stations capable of fully charging battery-powered electric vehicles in less than an hour.

“The inclusion of Coulomb’s advance networking features, including the fleet portal, means that we will have the capabilities of the ChargePoint Network and the convenience of fast charging in one device,” explains Coulomb Technologies CEO Richard Lowenthal.

The charging stations will be designed to meet TEPCO Level III specifications compatible with electric vehicles including the Nissan Leaf and the Mitsubishi i-Miev. Features will include an integrated billing system, compatibility with smart grids, remote management and online location tools.

“Field studies in Tokyo have shown that deploying fast chargers increase vehicle usage by more than 50%,” says Aker Wade Power Technologies CEO Bret Aker.

The next generation of electric vehicles with improved battery technology could reduce recharging times to as little as 15 minutes, he claims.

“This is the point where consumers will abandon gasoline for electricity. This is the tipping point for electric vehicles,” says Aker.

Meanwhile, US electric transportation specialist ECOtality is to join Coulomb Technologies in setting up operations in Brisbane, Australia to market and distribute battery charging equipment.

Late last year Coulomb Technologies announced the start of pilot projects in Perth, Sydney and Melbourne.

Australia represents a market of around 13 million vehicles, with nearly a million new vehicles sold every year. Renault-Nissan and Mitsubishi have already announced plans to launch electric vehicles by 2011.

“ECOtality Australia also plans to play a major role in facilitating the transition to clean electric transportation by providing charging solutions to support the successful introduction of electric vehicles in the region,” says CEO Jonathan Read.

For further information:
www.coulombtech.com
www.akerwade.com
www.ecotality.com

Related stories:
Electric vehicle recharging stations go down under (12-Nov 2009)
ECOtality to expand electric car charging network into China (8-Jul 2009)
ECOtality to roll out electric car infrastructure to North American cities (9-Mar 2009)