Gas stations to add electric vehicle chargers
Last updated Oct 13, 2010 — 83 views
BP will be installing ECOtality’s Blink electric vehicle (EV) DC Fast Chargers at 45 BP and ARCO gas stations, as part of a government-subsidized electric vehicle advancement program. The EV chargers are expected to be installed and operational by March of 2011.
According to ECOtality, BP will test and evaluate the EV battery chargers at 45 of its ARCO and BP gas stations, as part of its participation in The EV Project. ECOtality says it will help BP determine optimal locations for the EV charger installations, based on population density and transportation corridors, within in the project’s targeted locations: Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington, and Tennessee.
Electric vehicle fast charging station concept
(Source: ECOtality)
ECOtality is the project manager for The EV Project, an initiative that will include the installation of approximately 15,000 charging stations in 16 cities and major metropolitan areas in six states, and will place 8,300 EVs on the road. The project is funded with a $114.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The grants are matched by private investment, bringing the total value of the project to approximately $230 million.
“Individual ownership of electric cars is still a relatively new concept” notes BP VP Kevin Phelan. “We understand the importance of finding future energy solutions and this pilot allows us to test EV charging technology, gather real-world data and learn about how motorists use and charge electric vehicles.
“When people think of refueling their cars, they think of gas stations, and we’re excited to work with BP to demonstrate a new way of fueling cars to the American driver,” adds ECOtality CEO Jonathan Read. “We designed our Blink DC fast chargers to meet the needs of both retailers and consumers and make electric vehicles a reality. As BP and ARCO locations are situated along major traffic routes we believe that DC fast charging is ideal for these types of locations.”
In related news, ECOtality on Oct. 11 said it would be installing its EV charging stations at 12 Best Buy outlets. Best Buy’s installation is also under the auspices of The EV Project and is expected to be available in March of 2011.
Further information on ECOtality’s chargers are available on the company’s website.