Transport

Coulomb Technologies announced earlier this week a $37 million programme to install nearly 5000 electric vehicle recharging stations in nine regions across the US.

The ChargePoint America programme, which has been granted $15 million in funds from the Department of Energy’s Transportation Electrification Initiative, will install charging stations in Austin (Texas), Detroit, Los Angeles, New York, Orlando (Florida), Sacramento (California), San Francisco, Redmond (Washington) and Washington DC.

Carmakers Ford, Chevrolet and smart USA are supporting the programme with a commitment to introduce electric vehicles, including the Chevy Volt, Ford Transit Connect Electric, Ford Focus Electric and the smart fortwo, to the nine areas.

“The Obama Administration has set significant and considerable goals for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles in the coming years,” says Richard Lowenthal, CEO of Coulomb Technologies.

“These charging stations will build upon our already growing and established network of infrastructure and will accelerate the deployment of public and private charging infrastructure which will in turn encourage consumers to buy electric vehicles.”

Coulomb Technologies says over 1000 public charging stations will be installed by the end of the year, with the remaining 3600 scheduled to be in place by September 2011.

Purdue University and Idaho National Labs will work with Coulomb Technologies on the project, gathering information about vehicle use and charging patterns.

For further information:
www.coulombtech.com/
www.chargepointamerica.com
www.energy.gov

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US President orders fuel efficiency standards for trucks (24-May)
Fast charge stations could be tipping point for EVs (12-Jan)