June 2010 Archives

Today Coulomb Technologies announced that its ChargePoint® Networked Charging Stations for electric vehicles have met Underwriter Laboratories (UL) listed CT2100 product family safety requirements and are compatible with the Nissan LEAF. Coulomb, which has the largest established installation of networked charging stations worldwide, successfully completed compatibility testing with the Nissan LEAF at the company's engineering facility in Farmington Hills, MI and made the official announcement today.

Considering ChargePoint has the largest network of EV charging stations worldwide, shipping over 700 stations to 130 customers in 2009 alone, this is great news for future Nissan LEAF owners who may be planning longer trips and will need to rely on public charging stations to go the distance. This announcement means all Nissan LEAFs will be able to charge at any 240v CT2100 ChargePoint charging station in the United States later this year when the car is first released in the United States. To locate a charging station near you or along your chosen route visit the ChargePoint Map pictured below.

"The Nissan LEAF is the first all-electric, zero-emission car designed for the mass market and we want our customers to know that they can use any of Coulomb's public ChargePoint charging stations to fuel their cars," said Eric Noziere, vice president, Corporate Planning, Nissan North America. "Successful completion of tests with the Nissan LEAF and the ChargePoint station proved that this is a safe, reliable and convenient way for EV drivers to fuel their cars. We are also looking forward to collaborating on data interchange with the public ChargePoint Network."

"Our compatibility testing with Nissan will ensure that their customers' EV experience is a positive one," said Richard Lowenthal CEO of Coulomb Technologies. "ChargePoint is rapidly becoming the brand of choice and we will soon be seeing thousands of our stations across the country. As these electric vehicles arrive we do not want there to be any question about vehicle compatibility. We are thrilled to have our first UL listed charging station that has been tested with the Nissan LEAF for compatibility."

ChargePoint Network stations are network-enabled, capable of reporting energy usage and communicating over the network with Software Application Services and Network Support Services to activate capabilities such as:

• Providing open access for all drivers using any standards-based RFID card
• Generating revenue for station owners to offset electricity and maintenance costs
• Sending SMS or Email notifications to drivers for charging complete or interruptions in charging
• Controlling access to eliminate energy theft and to enhance safety
• Integrating with the utility Smart Grid for demand side management and preferred pricing

Charging station owners can set their own prices for charging through the Flex Billing™ system. The Flex Billing system enables station owners to set pricing as a function of time of day, calendar date, and driver - much like a parking meter. Those same stations can also be configured to provide "free" access to EV drivers.

Nissan North America
In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive design, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program 2010, whose key priorities are reducing CO2 emissions, cutting other emissions and increasing recycling. More information on the Nissan LEAF and zero emissions can be found at www.nissanusa.com.

About Coulomb Technologies, Inc.
Coulomb Technologies is a leader in electric vehicle charging station infrastructure with networked charging stations installed in municipalities and organizations worldwide. Coulomb provides a vehicle-charging infrastructure, with an open system driver network: the ChargePoint Network provides multiple web-based portals for Hosts, Fleet managers, Drivers, and Utilities, and ChargePoint Networked Charging Stations ranging in capability from 120 Volt to 240 Volt AC charging and up to 500 Volt DC charging. To request a charging station in your area, visit http://www.mychargepoint.net/request-station.php.

As the proud owner of a 1997 Subaru Legacy Station Wagon and a 2002 Subaru Outback I have long wished for a Subaru Outback hybrid. Since 2001 when Toyota first introduced the Prius in the US, this was practically the first thing that came to mind for me. A chimera of sorts, the body of a capable but streamlined SUV with the fuel efficiency of a bicycle. It just makes sense, people who buy Subaru's enjoy the outdoors and are usually environmentally conscious. The Outback captures the functionality and style of an SUV without sacrificing too much in the way of fuel economy. The boxer four cylinder engine is powerful enough to cover the-all-the-time all-wheel-drive system but also fuel efficient which leads me to think a hybrid engine must be capable of doing the same thing, especially considering the proven SUV hybrid models on road today!

Given that Toyota owns 16.7% of Fuji Heavy Industries, the parent company of Subaru, it's amazing to me that a Hybrid Subaru Outback hasn't already hit the market. Toyota is one of the leading innovators in the field of hybrid technology and supplies systems to many US auto manufacturers including Ford. My hopes were raised and then dashed when I found out about the Subaru PZEV (Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle) program in 2007, thinking this was some sort of hybrid design. To my dissatisfaction, this option (which is currently available on all certified Legacy, Outback, and Forester models for sale in the US) does not improve fuel economy at all. It simply strips emissions from the vehicle tailpipe and engine as the car continues to run on pure gasoline without hybrid assistance.

PZEV is a nice feature, but compared to a hybrid car that gets 50MPG you're drilling for twice as much oil (which requires oil to do), shipping that oil twice as far (which uses oil... for boats), filling cars twice as often (which releases fumes and emmissions and requires... oil) and wasting twice as much of your time standing around at the pump breathing it all in. Note to the rest of the world, please install vapor recovery systems like we've had in California for the past decade. Oh, you also have to refine twice as much oil, but who's counting? I think the net positive of a car that gets 2x the mileage but emits a few more emissions along the way far outweighs the PZEV approach, but it's better than nothing. Thanks Subaru!

So what's the hold up with an hybrid Outback? Customers have wanted it for years! I'm definitely not the only one. This conversation comes up again and again with my friends who work at REI and own Outbacks, the guys I carpool with 50 miles to go surfing in Santa Cruz and all the friends I drive 400 miles meet for camping trips in Yosemite. It all takes so much gas but sometimes you just need the extra space of a wagon. We're all thinking the same thing, we want a hybrid Subaru Outback... yesterday!

In 2009 there was some talk about an electric Subaru and a hybrid Subaru prototype scheduled for release in 2012. The prototypes featured a two door design with limited storage space and gullwing style doors (think DeLorean) to make it look cool. Storage space however, took a back seat and appeared to be significantly less than an Outback. It wasn't clear to me whether these models would also offer AWD but that's such an integral part of the Subaru legacy that I'd have to assume it'd be there.

Unfortunately for me, and many Outback owners, the small size of this prototype really defeats the point of owning a Subaru station wagon. Why scale the car down if you need that extra space for camping and skiing and surfing? Doesn't that just mean you'll have to slap on an ugly roof top cargo box and in turn decrease the overall efficiency of the car? Yes... I realize this is a hypocritical statement given that you can remove a roof rack but not the extra vehicle space but still, the Subary Outback isn't exactly excessive.

I'd like to reference the Ford Escape Hybrid and other fuller sized vehicles on the market TODAY which are not scaled down but still benefit from hybrid drive systems. I'm sure the design of an Outback creates less drag than a full sized SUV and could expect to get at least 40MPG vs. the Escape's 35. That may not be the case depending on the AWD power requirement but we just won't know until it's a reality.

So in conclusion: Subaru, I'd like to know when your all-wheel-drive wagon will hit the market and why it's taking so long?

One of the most useful car add-on's I've used in recent years is the rooftop cargo box. I've owned several different models including Thule and Yakima and enjoyed the latest and greatest features such as dual side opening and easy install. Roof top cargo boxes are especially useful for skiing and camping trips where car space is limited, especially if you don't have a station wagon or SUV. The disadvantage and drawback to any cargo box is however, that it creates increased drag on your vehicle which decreases gas mileage and overall vehicle efficiency. This drag isn't nearly as bad as a bicycle or ski rack with gear in tow but most people take off ski and bike racks when they aren't in use vs. cargo boxes that are left on year round.

In my search for the perfect cargo box, efficiency and aerodynamics has been a leading factor. Depending on car design, a long thin box like the one shown above is usually the best choice. This approach fails however if the car is short and the box hangs way over the windshield; not only does this create drag it also creates a safety hazard.

An alternative to finding the most efficient box design and leaving it on permanently is choosing one that is easy to put on and take off, and more adept for storing. With this method you just take the box off when it isn't in use (for me 90% of the time going to and from work etc.) but this creates a storage issue. Not only are these boxes large, usually requiring two people to remove without the risk of injury or damage to the car or box, they are also awkward to store. At one point I was storing my silver Thule Atlantis in a crowded garage space when a friend's bike fell on it and created a large scratch across the top. Just two weeks later the garage ceiling collapsed and deformed the top of the box even more.

Unfortunately, even if you avoid the pitfalls of storage and leave your cargo box on top of your car 100% of the time (where it is presumably safe from dings and scratches) the sun is going to fade the paint and tree sap and other debris will eventually build up. You also have to deal with the added risk of physical contact with low hanging pipes, garage doors and drive through stations... Here in San Francisco there are plenty of very low clearance parking garages that could wreak havoc on a thin plastic box, your car's roof and your pocketbook.

So what's the solution here? Well, there is one category of rooftop cargo boxes that I haven't mentioned in this overview so far and it's the one that is most efficient in my mind. Not only is it easy to remove, it is easy to store and therefore won't bog down your MPG's or your pocketbook because it won't get damaged as easily. It isn't quite as pretty to look at and it will probably create more drag than the aforementioned hard shell boxes, but for those only looking for occasional roof storage it's a great compromise.

I'm referring of course, to rooftop cargo bags. These alternative rooftop storage devices were first made popular by a little company called RoofBag in 1992. Since then, both Thule and Yakima have created similar products but RoofBag remains the leader and innovator. A roof bag works much like a cargo box but is made out of flexible waterproof rubber and fabric that is much easier to fold up and store. The great part is, you can use a roof bag whether your car has cargo rails and crossbars or not. This is great news for hybrid and electric vehicle owners because most of these vehicles don't come stock with racks. I found it especially hard, for example, to find crossbars for the first generation Honda Insight (2000-2006) but a RoofBag would still work for this car.

For under $100 you can get a RoofBag and end up saving a ton of gas, effort and money in the long run. Depending on your specific needs, length might be an issue but this can be overcome with a little creative thinking. Most sedans, for example, have a pass through door to the trunk so skis or snowboards could fit inside while other gear is put up top.

Most roof bags are lockable and no matter which brand you get there are several accessories worth considering. RoofBag offers a tire step for reaching the top of your roof more easily, duffel bags for organizing your stuff inside, a storage pouch, extra straps and a protective mat to keep the top of your car in good shape.

Coulomb Technologies today announced it will deliver free home and public ChargePoint® Networked Charging Stations for electric vehicles throughout the United States. The ChargePoint America program will provide nearly 5000 charging stations to program participants in nine regions in the United States: Austin, Texas, Detroit, Los Angeles, New York, Orlando, Fla., Sacramento, Calif., the San Jose/San Francisco Bay Area, Redmond, Wash., and Washington DC and is a strategic partnership with three leading automobile brands including, Ford, Chevrolet and smart USA.

Coulomb currently has the largest established base of networked charging stations worldwide with more than 700 units shipped to more than 130 customers in 2009. Installation of the ChargePoint charging stations for electric vehicles will begin immediately.

Coulomb's ChargePoint America Program Expands the Largest Networked Infrastructure for EVs in the world:  Immediate Installation in Nine US Regions

Campbell, Calif., June 2, 2010 - Coulomb Technologies today announced it will deliver free home and public ChargePoint® Networked Charging Stations for electric vehicles throughout the United States.  The ChargePoint America program will provide nearly 5000 charging stations to program participants in nine regions in the United States: Austin, Texas, Detroit, Los Angeles, New York, Orlando, Fla., Sacramento, Calif., the San Jose/San Francisco Bay Area, Redmond, Wash., and Washington DC and is a strategic partnership with three leading automobile brands including, Ford, Chevrolet and smart USA.  Coulomb currently has the largest established base of networked charging stations worldwide with more than 700 units shipped to more than 130 customers in 2009.  Installation of the ChargePoint charging stations for electric vehicles will begin immediately.

The $37 million ChargePoint America program is made possible by a $15M grant funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act through the Transportation Electrification Initiative administered by the Department of Energy. ChargePoint charging stations are available now for installation in all nine designated regional metropolitan areas of the US.  More than 1000 new public charging stations will be installed by December 2010, adding to the existing ChargePoint Network.  The remaining stations will be installed by September 2011.

In support of the ChargePoint America program, three automakers have committed to deliver electric vehicles in designated US regions.  The Chevrolet Volt, the Ford Transit Connect Electric and Ford Focus Electric through the "Ford Blue Oval ChargePoint Program", and the smart fortwo electric drive will be introduced along with this program.

"The Obama Administration has set significant and considerable goals for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles in the coming years," said Richard Lowenthal, CEO of Coulomb Technologies.  "This grant will bring thousands of networked charging stations to nine US regions that are slated to receive the first electric vehicles from our automobile partners. 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.  Our Department of Energy grant, also known as the stimulus bill, was funded to provide jobs for Americans.  Our products are built and installed with American labor.  Every time we ship a ChargePoint charging station, three Americans go to work for a day."

ChargePoint America will offer both home and public charging stations to individuals and businesses.  Businesses interested in receiving public charging stations should visit the ChargePoint America web site and sign up by completing the application form.  Individuals interested in purchasing an EV can sign up at www.chargepointamerica.com to receive more information about qualifying to receive a home charging station.  Additionally, the ChargePoint America web site provides a way to suggest public locations for charging stations.

ChargePoint Network stations are network-enabled, capable of reporting energy usage and communicating over the network with Software Application Services and Network Support Services to activate capabilities such as:

• Providing open access for all drivers using any standards-based RFID card
• Generating revenue for station owners to offset electricity and maintenance costs
• Sending SMS or Email notifications to drivers for charging complete or interruptions in charging
• Controlling access to eliminate energy theft and to enhance safety
• Integrating with the utility Smart Grid for demand side management and preferred pricing

Charging stations owners can set their own prices for charging through the Flex Billing™ system.  The Flex Billing system enables station owners to set pricing as a function of time of day, calendar date, and driver - much like a parking meter.   Those same stations can also be configured to provide "free" access to EV drivers.

Coulomb's ChargePoint® Network, is open to all drivers of plug-in vehicles and provides authentication, management, and real-time control for the networked electric vehicle charging stations.  The network of electric vehicle charging stations is accessible to all plug-in drivers by making a toll free call to the 24/7 number on each charging station, or signing up for a ChargePoint Network monthly access plan and obtaining a ChargePass™ smart card. Other future payment options include using any smart (RFID) credit/debit card to authorize a session or using a standard credit or debit card at a remote payment station (RPS) to pay for charging sessions. To locate available charging stations, visit mychargepoint.net and click "Find Stations".

About ChargePoint America

ChargePoint America will provide 4,600 public and private ChargePoint Networked Charging Stations by October 2011.  Coulomb will work together with its distribution and industry partners to evaluate the demand from the respective geographic regions and allocate charging stations based on this and other factors.   The ChargePoint America project will collect data characterizing vehicle use and charging patterns, and Purdue University and Idaho National Labs will analyze the data.  For more program information visit www.chargepointamerica.com.

About Coulomb Technologies, Inc.

Coulomb Technologies is the leader in electric vehicle charging station infrastructure with networked charging stations installed in municipalities and organizations worldwide. Coulomb provides a vehicle-charging infrastructure, with an open system driver network: the ChargePoint Network (www.mychargepoint.net) provides multiple web-based portals for Hosts, Fleet managers, Drivers, and Utilities, and ChargePoint Networked Charging Stations ranging in capability from 120 Volt to 240 Volt AC charging and up to 500 Volt DC charging. For more information, follow Coulomb on Twitter at twitter.com/coulombevi.   To request a charging station in your area, visit http://www.mychargepoint.net/request-station.php.  To download the ChargePoint iPhone App, click here.

Today Coulomb Technologies, the makers of ChargePoint, announced a partnership with three leading auto manufacturers including Ford, Chevrolet and Smart to provide customers of plugin hybrid and electric vehicles with in home charging stations free of charge. The project is being funded by a $15 million dollar grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in conjunction with the Department of Energy with an additional $22 million coming from installation and services sold by the company.

The combined $37M total of the ChargePoint America program will fund private ChargePoint installations for electric vehicle customers in addition to public outlets in nine major cities across the United States including:

• Austin Texas
• Detroit Michigan
• Los Angeles California
• New York City New York
• Orlando Florida
• Sacramento California
• San Jose / San Francisco / SF Bay Area California
• Redmond Washington
• Washington DC

While this is exciting news for Ford, Chevrolet and Smart, the program will surely benefit all OEM vehicle manufacturers who are preparing to launch electric vehicles in the coming years including Tesla Motors, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Toyota. Furthermore, anyone who currently owns or is planning on purchasing an electric vehicle or plugin hybrid will have access to public charging stations being built with money from this partnership grant.

Several early adopter cities such as San Francisco have been leveraging ChargePoint technology with prototype plugin vehicles from Toyota and Tesla, in addition to converted Toyota Prius, for the past two years. Coulomb Technologies currently operates the largest installed EV charging station network worldwide with recent expansion in Australia, Germany and other parts of Europe.

Beyond simply charging electric vehicles, ChargePoint stations serve to aggregate data on usage, efficiency and cost which is shared between vehicle owners, power suppliers and property owners who host the stations and take a share of profits. With data collected from each of these sources, Coulomb Technologies has created a smart grid capable of charging vehicles at off peak hours and potentially supplying power back to the grid. As an end user of ChargePoint stations, vehicle owners are able to track their own usage and charge levels remotely using smart phones and computers with the option to charge in ways that are more eco friendly.

This grant is exciting news for anyone interested in clean technology and represents a bold step forward by the Obama Administration. With this grant, the federal government is staking a claim in the future of clean transportation in America and in American automobile manufacturers. This kind of support for rapid development will help to address the chicken and egg scenario that some have feared might hinder the acceptance and widespread use of electric vehicles.

If you live in one of the nine major cities targeted for this expansion, keep your eye out for ChargePoint stations being installed on buildings, curbsides and parking lots this year! As an end-user, keep in mind that select upcoming Ford, Chevrolet and Smart vehicle models will include in-home ChargePoint stations offering 220 volt charging and networked data aggregation. For current EV owners or those considering a Nissan Leaf, Aptera, Tesla Model S or other vehicle outside the scope of this deal, you should still be able to get an in home station from ChargePoint for somewhere in the neighborhood of $1,000. Anyone will be able to purchase a ChargePoint usage plan and begin using the public stations nation wide with hundreds already installed using a ChargePoint smart card system.

Deployment will start immediately and continue for the next eight months. Cars include Ford Transit Connect, Ford Focus, Ford Blue Oval Connect, Chevy Volt and the Smart Fortwo Electric Drive vehicle from Daimler Benz. 4,600 total network charging stations, 2,600 will be in the public and the rest will go to homes. All stations will include advanced networking and smart phone applications to locate and operate stations, get data. Part of this project will be collecting data to formulate long term trends for EV charging usage.