Orlando kicks off $37m vehicle recharging deployment program

June 17, 2010

Orlando is one of nine urban areas in the US receiving charging points on the $37m ChargePoint America program (photo: NovaCharge LLC)

A $37 million program to deploy electric vehicle recharging stations in nine regions around the US has begun with the city of Orlando, Florida.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony is being held today at Orlando’s City Hall for the first ChargePoint Networked Charging Station installed on the program from California company Coulomb Technologies.

Orlando will receive hundreds of free home and public ChargePoint stations for electric vehicles, preparing for the release of new electric cars from major manufacturers later this year.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said yesterday: “These efforts help us protect the environment and save our residents money.”

Deployment

The ChargePoint America program has $15 million of stimulus funding from the US Department of Energy to put in 4,600 public and home charging stations before October 2011.

Coulomb is working in partnership with carmakers Ford, General Motors and SmartUSA to deploy the charging stations.

The infrastructure is being installed in key markets being targeted by electric vehicle manufacturers – Austin, Texas; Detroit; Los Angeles; New York; Orlando, Fla.; Sacramento, Calif.; the San Jose/San Francisco Bay Area; Bellevue/Redmond, Wash. and Washington, DC.

Coulomb, which has its headquarters in Campbell, CA, has the largest established network of recharging stations so far, with 700 units shipped to more than 130 customers last year.

The ChargePoint technology is a networked system allowing drivers to use their mobile phones or computers to locate available charging points and, once their vehicle is connected up, track the charging progress.

“Leading the charge”

Richard Lowenthal, CEO at Coulomb Technologies, said: “Orlando is leading the charge and is the recipient of the first installed ChargePoint station under the ChargePoint America program.

The installation of these charging stations will create employment for hundreds of people in Central Florida” - Richard Lowenthal, Coulomb Technologies

“The installation of these home and public charging stations will create employment for hundreds of people in Central Florida and provide the essential infrastructure necessary for the future of transportation,” added Mr Lowenthal.

ChargePoint America will offer both public and home charging stations to individuals and businesses.

Coulomb Technologies has been working with regional distribution partners to install its recharging points, such as Tampa-based NovaCharge LLC.

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 should sign up to receive more information about qualifying to receive a home charging station.

The ChargePoint America web site also provides a way for drivers to suggest public locations for charging stations.

Add your comments

Dmiles33810
This WAS a “GREAT” Occasion.( I was there.) the participants and Politicians and Energy related Executives, and an Educator of EV Mechanics, (Me!) As well as a number of other “Green Collar People” . Only water was given away so these fine interested individuals were there demonstrating the Importance to us all of “Greening – up” Transportation. Chevrolet had a “Volt” on display, Ford sent a Hybrid converted to “Plug-in” and Mercedes sent two Electric “Smart for Two” while the local Utility displayed a Hybrid converted to “Plug-In” and promised to convert 10 more this year.The Mayors of Orlando and Orange county both promised continued support as did the CEO if the local utility, and a VP from Charge Point America. And there it stood next to the street and a “Reserved for Electric Car” sign. And it was WORKING ! After all was said and done everyone just stayed around to talk and look at the Electric Cars and the First of 500 Charging Stations to be installed within 70 moles, and supplied free by the $17 Million Federal Grant and matching funds from Ford, Chevy, and Smart totaling about $35 Million. Finally the cars were loaded onto a truck and hauled away so we split up.
For more Info about training to upgrade auto mechanics to Electric Cars check My web site or contact me. http://www.e-v-t-i-inc.com/ Dennis Miles
Dr. Alfredo Ravinet
There goes $35M to install an undetermined numbers of charging stations, for an undetermined number of electric vehicles that who knows when they will be out in the market and what will be the level of market acceptance. More of the same political smoke and mirrors and waste of tax dollars.
Dr. A. Ravinet, FIU
John5501
I can only applaud Orlando for doing what it can to bring the US closer to energy independence. While this is something of a gamble, it is the kind of risk we should be taking to attack our dependence on foreign oil, on any front available. Many people also said the “Prius” would never gain acceptance but it did in a big way. I hope the all-electric's will surpass the Prius in acceptance and sales. My money is on the Nissan “Leaf” to begin the charge into true gas free vehicles.
http://www.letsgreenamerica.net Jeff
Naysayers always amaze me! While you complain and criticize the earth is bleeding oil into the Gulf unchecked. While no one goes to jail for this crime against nature and humanity people like you offer no help for solutions to this serious problem. Well Doc let’s see your plan for fixing this broken economy and our environmental issue. At least these guys are moving in some direction and not just sitting around and complaining. Get a grip, use your intelligence come up with answer or be quite!
Dmiles33810
Dr A. Ravinet, your wrong and obviously you speak out of Ignorance. The newly elected Mayor of South Miami drives an electric car and he is a Professor at FIU which you claim as an alumni, And I graduated from FIU in 1975 and I have always practiced the “Tolerance for Others” you are not displaying. As the inevitable electric vehicles are distributed to major auto dealers. these charging stations must be installed or installable, to squelch the “Range Anxiety” invented by the current marketplace and The Program and others like it will do that. in fact the auto manuf. say they will only sell in cities with pre-installed charging stations. By the way the “Kick-Off ” went well, I was there among the “Green Collared Masses” in the audience.
Dmiles33810
We of the “Green Collar” Thank-You (Neither white nor blue.) Unfortunately the “Leaf” was absent as they aren't distributing it in Florida as yet. But Mercedes is bringing the “Smart Car for Two Electric” (Everybody is listed in the article above) We are all hoping it is not a gamble but inexorable progression The Good Old USA needs to go “Oil-Lite” and SOON !
In another Twist we are going to need Trained Electric Vehicle Technicians / Mechanics also.
Perhaps Electric Vehicle Technical Institute will lead the Service and Repair Infrastructure?
Carlosmsanchez
Dr. Ravinet, I'm a Graduate of FIU and agree that something has to be done to break our “OIL addiction. Not only does this addiction drag US into WAR, but it will slowly kill us poisoning our seas and environment. At What Costs??? We need to stop the madness of OIL and go SOLAR.
We're “The Sunshine State” and we should harness this energy which is renewable and clean. Its the evil doers (Bush's lenguo) that prevent it. Congress is paid off to look the other way, Government is either paid off or incompetant to see Solar implimented. That's why people in the US should demand and ban together to push for SOLAR.
Free market system will work because people will demand this once the cost becomes feasible to most consumers. This cost is coming down and solar panels are becoming more efficient today.
Start with electric cars and power stations==You build it and they will come!
“Lead, Follow or Get the Hell out of the WAY”
Thank YOU. Renewable energy is here to STAY…..Kill OIL & COAL.
Oemissions
anything that reduces the noise and stink and stress from too many automobiles will help, somewhat.