ECOtality releases EV charging plans for major U.S. cities

[DainBramaged]

ECOtality North America is collaborating with Nissan Motor Co. and General Motors Co. to solve limitations to the driving range of electric vehicles by launching thousands of charging stations in major U.S. cities by the middle of next year.

Under the plan, known as “The EV Project,” the two automakers will ship 5,700 Nissan Leafs and 2,600 Chevrolet Volts to dealerships in states involved in the project.

ECOtality will install about 15,000 charging stations by June 11, 2011.

In August 2009, the project received a $115 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, with matching private investments bringing the total to $230 million.

Because many electric cars offer a 100-mile-or-less driving range per charge, some consumers and industry experts doubt the viability of electric cars in the mainstream market.

But backers of ECOtality say the project will make EV charging as accessible and efficient as filling up with gasoline. Of the 15,000 charging stations in the project, about 14,700 will be Level II stations -- offering a full EV battery charge in about four hours using 220 to 240 volts. There also will be 310 Level III stations -- using 480 volts -- offering a full charge in 30 minutes or less, ECOtality spokeswoman Caitlin Cieslik-Miskimen told Automotive News.


Read more: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20101101/OEM05/101109984/1186#ixzz143BHPILo