February 2010 Archives

We knew this day would come, finally, a mobile phone app to help electric vehicle owners locate charging stations. This first release comes from an EV installer called Coulomb that makes Charge Point stations which have been deployed around the world. Here at EV Authority e've created our own open resource with google maps to help identify charge station locations but are very excited to see something in the iTunes store with more locations. Full press release follows along with the mobile app description.

iPhone App Description: Electric Vehicle drivers rejoice! You can now eliminate range anxiety forever. Charging station locations are only a button press away with the ChargePoint® iPhone App. You can now use your iPhone or iPod Touch to find and get directions to ChargePoint® Networked Charging Stations, and even check if a station is available. Who knew that charging stations would come with so many cool features? Use your ChargePoint iPhone App to:

• Find charging stations near you or near any specified address.
• Get turn-by-turn directions to charging stations.
• See the real-time availability of charging stations: Available or In Use.
• Start and Stop charging sessions directly from your iPhone.
• Get directions from your current location to where your vehicle is charging.
• Get status on your current or most recent charging session (energy, greenhouse gas savings, time).
• Receive real-time notifications of your current charging session.

Coulomb Press Release: Campbell, CA. February 24, 2010 - Coulomb Technologies, the leader in electric vehicle charging station infrastructure, today announced that the ChargePoint® iPhone App is now available in the iTunes App Store.  The ChargePoint iPhone App gives electric vehicle owners the ability to not only easily locate ChargePoint® Networked Charging Stations for electric vehicles anywhere in North America, but see in real time if a charging station is currently available, in use, or out of service.  Using the iPhone or iPod Touch, drivers can use the app to start and stop charging sessions, be notified when their vehicle is fully charged, and get directions to stations.  The iPhone application is free and available for download here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/chargepoint/id356866743  

"With Coulomb's in-place networked charging station installations, the timing and availability of this iPhone App is perfect," said Felix Kramer, Founder of Palo Alto-based CalCars.org, a leading plug-in hybrid advocacy and technology demonstration non-profit, and an advisor to Coulomb.  "Plug-in vehicle drivers get a cool tool to find charging locations and other destinations. It enables them to boost their electric miles to save money and reduce emissions. Any current or prospective plug-in car owner can check out this app, then show it off to spur even more interest in fueling our cars with cleaner, cheaper, domestic electricity."
 
Some features require a ChargePoint® Network driver account with an activated ChargePass™ card.  To create an account, and purchase or activate a ChargePass card, go to www.mychargepoint.net and click Sign Up.
 
"This ChargePoint iPhone App for EV drivers is the latest accomplishment in a year of remarkable milestones for Coulomb," said Richard Lowenthal, CEO of Coulomb Technologies. "It was just over a year ago that the City of San Jose became the first in the world to install networked charging stations for EVs.  Today we have more than 120 customers and have shipped stations worldwide.  The foundation for these accomplishments is the ChargePoint Network, powered by our advanced networking technology. The ChargePoint iPhone App works in conjunction with our Flex Billing™ system such that after charging station owners set prices for charging at their stations, drivers can use the iPhone App to see those prices.  Possibly the most important feature of this application is one that can only be done with networked charging stations - the ability to get real-time status of the station.  This way you'll never drive to a station that is already in use or is out of service."

I'm saddened to announce that initial reports from a plane crash this morning in Palo Alto California state that several top engineers from Tesla Motors have been killed in a plane crash that took out power throughout the city.

Considering the leadership role that Tesla has taken in moving the electric vehicle movement forward this is a sad day for us here at EV Authority and we'll post more information as it becomes available.

The plane was owned by Doug Bourn and crashed due to fog en rout to Hawthorne Municipal Airport in Los Angeles County. The plane crashed at 7:49am and took out power transmission lines roughly 400 feet above the ground as it was taking off from Palo Alto airport in heavy fog.

I live near Palo Alto and know members of the company, I am saddened at the loss but inspired by the great work these men did and the positive recognition they are getting for what was accomplished during their time here with us.

Tesla Motors: "Three Tesla employees were on board a plane that crashed in East Palo Alto early this morning. We are withholding their identities as we work with the relevant authorities to notify the families. Our thoughts and prayers are with them. Tesla is a small, tightly-knit company, and this is a tragic day for us."

KTVU.com: "The plane hit transmission lines that are draped 377 feet above the ground near the Dumbarton Bridge."