ECOtality and Frog Design debut eye-catching Blink EV chargers
By Donald Melanson 
posted July 27th 2010 6:21PM
posted July 27th 2010 6:21PM
Coulomb Technologies isn't the only company that's announced some new electric vehicle chargers at this week's Plug-In 2010 conference in San Jose -- ECOtality has also taken advantage of the show to debut its new Blink EV chargers. Those were developed in partnership with Frog Design, which is responsible for the eye-catching look that the companies hope will become a "new icon for a smart EV ecosystem." Of particular note with the home version is a modular set-up that lets you place the garden hose-like cord reel separate from the main unit, which the company says makes it particularly well-suited for cramped garages. It also looks like you'll soon have a decent chance of spotting the commercial version out in the wild -- the first charges will be installed this Fall as part of the public-private, $230 million EV Project, which will eventually see ECOtality install nearly 15,000 chargers in 16 U.S. cities. Head on past the break for the complete press release, and a video overview from Frog Design's Andy Hooper.
ECOtality Introduces Blink The First Smart, Interactive, Iconic EV Chargers and Network
Intelligent, Connected National EV Infrastructure Offers Products for Residential, Utility and Retail Customers
Plug-In 2010, SAN FRANCISCO - Tuesday, July 27, 2010 - ECOtality, Inc. (NASDAQ: ECTY), a leader in clean electric transportation and storage technologies, today unveiled its flagship electric vehicle charging stations: Blink. The first truly smart chargers to hit the market, the Blink Level 2 charging stations will be available in two models-one, an in-home residential wall-mount unit and the second, a commercial stand-alone charger. They are designed to be the centerpiece of the rich EV charging infrastructure system that will pave the way to long-term success in the adoption of electric vehicles in the United States and around the world.
"Blink is more than a place to plug in a car-it is the fulcrum between the driver, car, home and utility. This high level of interactivity built into our system sets Blink chargers apart from anything else on the market and is key to driving consumer EV adoption," said Jonathan Read, CEO of ECOtality. "Never before has consumer demand been so high and the market potential so large for EVs. By introducing a charger that is simply smarter and really connected, ECOtality and our partners are setting a new industry standard."
ECOtality worked with global innovation firm frog design to set a new precedent for electric vehicle chargers.
"We are thrilled to partner with ECOtality to design and bring to market the Blink family of EV chargers," said Paul Bradley, executive creative director for frog design. "Blink adds a human touch to complex technology. The design has a familiar graphic and functional simplicity that will help to integrate electric vehicles into consumers' lives, and represents a new icon for a smart EV ecosystem."
The chargers offer significant improvements over previous charging stations and are well positioned in a market that is expected to grow to $1.5 billion by 2015, according to a recent Pike Research report on the electric vehicle equipment supply industry. Blink's robust, interactive, networked platform communicates directly with the major stakeholders in EV adoption: consumers, utilities and points of installation, such as retailers. Additionally, the chargers work in conjunction with smart grid systems, and their integrated communication capabilities will be a key part of utilities' demand response solution.
The first Blink charging stations will be installed in Fall 2010 as part of The EV Project. As project manager of The EV Project, ECOtality will deploy nearly 15,000 charging stations in 16 cities across six U.S. states, as well as the District of Columbia. The $230 million public-private initiative is funded in part with a $114.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
"We're at a pivotal point propelled by large government investment in The EV Project and unparalleled consumer demand. We're drawing on our years of experience to provide a product that exceeds consumer expectations and facilitates widespread adoption of electric driving," said ECOtality North America President Don Karner. "We've taken the lessons learned from our over two decades of electric vehicle infrastructure experience and applied them to create a charging infrastructure network that emphasizes station location, charger communication and user experience. Blink solves the issues targeting key transportation corridors, overcoming consumer concerns."
Charging Your EV at Home
Blink was designed to emulate drivers' habits and integrate seamlessly into their lifestyle. Drivers will pull up to their home, garage or carport, plug in their car-and walk away. The Blink Level 2 charger delivers a full charge in two to six hours, can be programmed to charge the car when electricity rates are the lowest, and will link to participating utilities and be controlled remotely through smart phone and web applications.
Charging Your EV on the Go
Just as Blink home chargers were designed to integrate easily with drivers' existing lifestyles, an extensive amount of consumer behavior analysis and market research guided both the design and location decisions for the commercial chargers. EV drivers will simply travel to their normal destinations-movie theaters, shopping malls, coffee shops and retailers-pull up and charge.
The Blink system is fully interactive with color touch screens delivering information, thirdparty media and connectivity to network headquarters. Through its ability to operate a national network, as well as enterprise networks, Blink will provide an array of applications for monetization of the charging space for host and network operator alike.
Both Level 2 units are connected to 240V AC circuits and Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a partner in The EV Project, is currently in the process of testing the units to certify them to UL's uncompromising safety requirements.
Additional information about the units is included in the product spec sheets, available for download on the new Blink website: www.blinknetwork.com.
About ECOtality, Inc.
ECOtality, Inc. (NASDAQ:ECTY), headquartered in San Francisco, California, is a leader in clean electric transportation and storage technologies. Through innovation, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships, ECOtality accelerates the market applicability of advanced electric technologies to replace carbon-based fuels. For more information about ECOtality, Inc., please visit www.ecotality.com.
About frog design
frog design is a global innovation firm and works with the world's leading companies, helping them to create and bring to market meaningful products, services, and experiences. frog's multidisciplinary process reveals valuable consumer and market insights and inspires lasting, humanizing solutions. With a team of more than 500 designers, technologists, strategists, and analysts, the company delivers fully convergent experiences that span multiple technologies, platforms, and media. frog works across a broad spectrum of industries, including consumer electronics, telecommunications, healthcare, energy, automotive, media, entertainment, education, finance, retail, and fashion. Clients include Disney, GE, HP, Intel, Microsoft, MTV, Qualcomm, Siemens, and many other Fortune 500 brands. Founded in 1969, frog is headquartered in San Francisco, with studios in Amsterdam, Austin, Milan, Munich, New York, Seattle, and Shanghai. frog design is an independent division of Aricent, a global innovation, technology, and outsourcing company, focused exclusively on communications. Aricent is owned by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., Sequoia Capital, The Family Office, and CPP Investment Board. frog is a Global Growth Company member of the World Economic Forum.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain as they are based on current expectations and assumptions concerning future events or future performance of the company. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are only predictions and speak only as of the date hereof. In evaluating such statements, prospective investors should review carefully various risks and uncertainties identified in this release and matters set in the company's SEC filings. These risks and uncertainties could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements.
Intelligent, Connected National EV Infrastructure Offers Products for Residential, Utility and Retail Customers
Plug-In 2010, SAN FRANCISCO - Tuesday, July 27, 2010 - ECOtality, Inc. (NASDAQ: ECTY), a leader in clean electric transportation and storage technologies, today unveiled its flagship electric vehicle charging stations: Blink. The first truly smart chargers to hit the market, the Blink Level 2 charging stations will be available in two models-one, an in-home residential wall-mount unit and the second, a commercial stand-alone charger. They are designed to be the centerpiece of the rich EV charging infrastructure system that will pave the way to long-term success in the adoption of electric vehicles in the United States and around the world.
"Blink is more than a place to plug in a car-it is the fulcrum between the driver, car, home and utility. This high level of interactivity built into our system sets Blink chargers apart from anything else on the market and is key to driving consumer EV adoption," said Jonathan Read, CEO of ECOtality. "Never before has consumer demand been so high and the market potential so large for EVs. By introducing a charger that is simply smarter and really connected, ECOtality and our partners are setting a new industry standard."
ECOtality worked with global innovation firm frog design to set a new precedent for electric vehicle chargers.
"We are thrilled to partner with ECOtality to design and bring to market the Blink family of EV chargers," said Paul Bradley, executive creative director for frog design. "Blink adds a human touch to complex technology. The design has a familiar graphic and functional simplicity that will help to integrate electric vehicles into consumers' lives, and represents a new icon for a smart EV ecosystem."
The chargers offer significant improvements over previous charging stations and are well positioned in a market that is expected to grow to $1.5 billion by 2015, according to a recent Pike Research report on the electric vehicle equipment supply industry. Blink's robust, interactive, networked platform communicates directly with the major stakeholders in EV adoption: consumers, utilities and points of installation, such as retailers. Additionally, the chargers work in conjunction with smart grid systems, and their integrated communication capabilities will be a key part of utilities' demand response solution.
The first Blink charging stations will be installed in Fall 2010 as part of The EV Project. As project manager of The EV Project, ECOtality will deploy nearly 15,000 charging stations in 16 cities across six U.S. states, as well as the District of Columbia. The $230 million public-private initiative is funded in part with a $114.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
"We're at a pivotal point propelled by large government investment in The EV Project and unparalleled consumer demand. We're drawing on our years of experience to provide a product that exceeds consumer expectations and facilitates widespread adoption of electric driving," said ECOtality North America President Don Karner. "We've taken the lessons learned from our over two decades of electric vehicle infrastructure experience and applied them to create a charging infrastructure network that emphasizes station location, charger communication and user experience. Blink solves the issues targeting key transportation corridors, overcoming consumer concerns."
Charging Your EV at Home
Blink was designed to emulate drivers' habits and integrate seamlessly into their lifestyle. Drivers will pull up to their home, garage or carport, plug in their car-and walk away. The Blink Level 2 charger delivers a full charge in two to six hours, can be programmed to charge the car when electricity rates are the lowest, and will link to participating utilities and be controlled remotely through smart phone and web applications.
Charging Your EV on the Go
Just as Blink home chargers were designed to integrate easily with drivers' existing lifestyles, an extensive amount of consumer behavior analysis and market research guided both the design and location decisions for the commercial chargers. EV drivers will simply travel to their normal destinations-movie theaters, shopping malls, coffee shops and retailers-pull up and charge.
The Blink system is fully interactive with color touch screens delivering information, thirdparty media and connectivity to network headquarters. Through its ability to operate a national network, as well as enterprise networks, Blink will provide an array of applications for monetization of the charging space for host and network operator alike.
Both Level 2 units are connected to 240V AC circuits and Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a partner in The EV Project, is currently in the process of testing the units to certify them to UL's uncompromising safety requirements.
Additional information about the units is included in the product spec sheets, available for download on the new Blink website: www.blinknetwork.com.
About ECOtality, Inc.
ECOtality, Inc. (NASDAQ:ECTY), headquartered in San Francisco, California, is a leader in clean electric transportation and storage technologies. Through innovation, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships, ECOtality accelerates the market applicability of advanced electric technologies to replace carbon-based fuels. For more information about ECOtality, Inc., please visit www.ecotality.com.
About frog design
frog design is a global innovation firm and works with the world's leading companies, helping them to create and bring to market meaningful products, services, and experiences. frog's multidisciplinary process reveals valuable consumer and market insights and inspires lasting, humanizing solutions. With a team of more than 500 designers, technologists, strategists, and analysts, the company delivers fully convergent experiences that span multiple technologies, platforms, and media. frog works across a broad spectrum of industries, including consumer electronics, telecommunications, healthcare, energy, automotive, media, entertainment, education, finance, retail, and fashion. Clients include Disney, GE, HP, Intel, Microsoft, MTV, Qualcomm, Siemens, and many other Fortune 500 brands. Founded in 1969, frog is headquartered in San Francisco, with studios in Amsterdam, Austin, Milan, Munich, New York, Seattle, and Shanghai. frog design is an independent division of Aricent, a global innovation, technology, and outsourcing company, focused exclusively on communications. Aricent is owned by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., Sequoia Capital, The Family Office, and CPP Investment Board. frog is a Global Growth Company member of the World Economic Forum.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain as they are based on current expectations and assumptions concerning future events or future performance of the company. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are only predictions and speak only as of the date hereof. In evaluating such statements, prospective investors should review carefully various risks and uncertainties identified in this release and matters set in the company's SEC filings. These risks and uncertainties could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements.
@statickeith Goood statickeith. Let the hate flow through you. It gives you focus. Makes you stronger
@statickeith You are giving him exactly what he wants. He is just a mindless attention whore. Ignore him, just as you do people like him in real life.
@afrovballpride you know, I really wish when someone got deleted that my replies would be deleted too, and not thrown on someone else's comment. Makes it look like I should be banned. Sorry, everyone.
@Lord Vader Definitely gonna take your advice, Lord Vader!
FINISH HIM!
ECOtality!
Interesting...
@Apple Google Microsoft
this thread just got more interesting
@Psyclotr0n
ooh, reverse chronology too! engadget comment system, i want your babies
Don't blink. Blink and you're dead. Don't turn your back. Don't look away. And don't blink. Good Luck.
This is cool but doesn't Tesla give you a charger when you buy a Roadster?
@Maxipad
These are intended to be as infrastructure for fast charging. The Tesla charger that comes with the car, and the charger that the Nissan leaf comes with are meant to be able to be installed in your house to insure that your battery is protected, and charges more quickly. These chargers easily double the voltage of those chargers and can charge the Nissan leaf to 80% in just a half hour.
I shall ignore @bingster.
@bingster If by 'uprank" you mean 'force choke' then certainly
@bingster YOU GET THE FREAK OUTTA HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You make me SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ANGRY FACE!
P.S. I downranked you!!!!
@statickeith Thanks!
If only there were enough actual EVs to make use of awesome designs like this.
I wonder if the amount of fossil fuels saved by driving an electric car is actually more than it takes to generate the electricity to charge them?
@ZombiePete You must remember that the electricity used to charge them comes from a mix of methods, like Dams, Nuclear Plants, and Wind farms. So, yes, it really does make a difference.
@ZombiePete
doubt it; electric motors have a "vehicle 'tank-to-wheels' efficiency about a factor of 3 higher than internal combustion engine vehicles" from Wiki
@Psyclotr0n
To add to that; When fossil fuels are burned in a plant for electrical generation, they are actually burned more efficiently. They usually get about 40% efficiency out of the combustion. But only about 50% of the united states's grid mix is coal. The other 50% is either hydro, wind, nuclear, or a good portion of it comes from natural gas. Is natural gas still burning? Yes. Does natural gas burn cleaner than coal? By a long shot. So yes, It is way cleaner, and way more efficient, even if you are just displacing the pollution.
Also on a side note, if you are displacing the pollution all to one place (or in this case, one industry) wouldn't it be easier to control?
My final rant: It takes 12 kWh of energy to produce a gallon of gas. That amount of energy could propel a Tesla roadster for 44 miles. So if you get less than 44mpg, then you are actually using more electricity than the Tesla roadster as well as using gasoline.
ill stick with my 6.1L V8, it is very economical too, every time I fill up it boosts the economy
@infamous1
unfortunately it doesn't boost your penis
So, 15,000 chargers... and how many electric vehicles?
I bet it's not quite 15,000 yet.
you have to make car owners use their own cables. Copper is expensive. That cable is worth maybe 50 bucks in scrap to any crack head with a pair of bolt cutters.
I wonder how long a full charging would take
@peasoupman
Valid point.
Is ECOtality trying to overcome limitations in function with form? Why do chargers need to be objects d'art is beyond me. Yes, the coiled garden hose makes sense. But let's not digress from the fact that a charger is just that - a charger. Coiled wires are about as novel as paris's scandals. Get over it. And make chargers that can recharge an EV in as much time as it takes to tank up a gas guzzler. And that would be news.