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The first ‘intelligent’ electric vehicle recharging station has been rolled out in Norway, while plans are underway for a ‘corridor’ of charging stations in California.

Earlier this month, Norwegian energy supplier Eidsiva opened its first Coulomb Technologies charging station in Gjøvik.

The ‘intelligent’ ChargePoint™ stations are linked to a network that provides useful information for drivers such as when their vehicle is recharged and where to find nearby recharging stations.

Coulomb’s European partner 365 Energy Group will install a further three recharging stations in Lillehammer and Hamar. ChargePoint stations have already been installed in the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium.

“I am very optimistic that the ChargePoint charging stations will soon be available in all European countries,” says Hong Thieu, CFO of the 365 Energy Group.

Meanwhile, SolarCity and local California bank Rabobank are joining forces on plans for a corridor of four solar-powered charging stations between San Francisco and Los Angeles in California.

The recharging stations, which will be owned and operated by SolarCity, will be built at Rabobank branches in Salinas, Atascadero, Santa Maria and Goleta in cooperation with electric carmaker Tesla Motors.

SolarCity has already installed over 100 solar car recharging stations at the homes of Tesla car owners.

“We hope that this corridor of charging stations provides new travel opportunities for electric vehicle owners and gives further momentum to the renewable energy movement,” says Marco Krapels of Rabobank.

For further information:
www.coulombtech.com
www.365-energy.com
www.eidsivaenergi.no/
www.solarcity.com
www.solarcity.com/residential/electric-vehicle-charging-stations.aspx
www.rabobankamerica.com

Related stories:
Germany paves the way for electric cars (10-Sept)
Amsterdam to install electric vehicle charging network (28-May)
California boosts renewables and electric cars (24-Nov 2008)