by Brianna Crandall — November 22, 2010—The first public electric vehicle (EV) charging station in Washington, DC, was unveiled on November 16, reports the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). Installation under Coulomb Technologies’ ChargePoint America program was supported in part by a $15 million DOE grant through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
The program will install more than 500 charging stations in the D.C. area, highlighting the important role of the capital as part of a nationwide effort that will add 4,600 charging stations during the next two years, creating jobs and promoting the use of fuel-efficient cars in the U.S, says EERE.
Coulomb Technologies is now installing 240-volt electric vehicle chargers for commercial and public use across the country. These Level II charging stations in nine regions will support the deployment of 2,600 electric-drive vehicles, including vehicles by Ford, Chevrolet and smart USA.
The nine pilot regions include Austin, Texas; Detroit, Michigan; Los Angeles; New York; Orlando, Florida; Sacramento and the San Jose and San Francisco Bay Area in California; the Bellevue and Redmond, areas of Washington; and now Washington, D.C.
As the public begins to use these devices, DOE will collect data on travel patterns and about how drivers use their electric vehicles; where and when people charge their cars; and what impacts the chargers might have on the grid.
