Electric vehicle infrastructure providers are powering ahead with $350 million in equity financing for battery-swap company Better Place and the launch of ECOtality’s electric vehicle charging software.
Better Place has signed a new agreement with an HSBC-led investor consortium, which has valued the US company at $1.25 billion.
The company plans to use the funds for research and development, furthering its current projects in Israel and Denmark, and widening the scope of activities in the US, Australia and Europe.
ECOtality, meanwhile, is unveiling the first generation of its internet-based software for electric vehicle recharging, which has been developed by its subsidiary eTec.
“Our software platform will allow electric vehicle drivers to log in via a website to remotely check the charge status of an electric vehicle at any ECOtality charge station, initiate and control the vehicle charging, and even help drivers locate the nearest charging stations,” explains ECOtality president and CEO Jonathan Read.
The software will allow electric vehicle owners to programme the recharging time in advance to make the most of cheap off-peak energy tariffs and will send text or email reminders when recharging is needed.
The software is part of ECOtality’s EV project, supported by the Department of Energy with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding, which plans to install over 11,000 charging stations in home, public and commercial sites across five states (Arizona, California, Oregon, Tennessee and Washington).
And the first wind-powered recharging station has been installed in law firm’s car park in Chicago by Carbon Day Automotive.
The Coulomb Technologies’ ChargePoint® Network charging station is the second powered by renewable energy in the city, following the installation of a solar-powered charge point at the Department of Fleet Maintenance.
Meanwhile, electric vehicle charging stations have also come to Washington DC courtesy of electricity supplier Pepco Holdings, which has installed two charging stations and plans a further eight in the region to support its purchase of ten Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrids.
“This initiative will provide valuable information about the capabilities of electric vehicles and their growing impact on the grid as we transition to both the smart grid and an electrified transportation sector,” says chair and CEO of Pepco Holdings, Joseph M. Rigby.
Source: energyefficiencynews.com
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