ECOtality Gets EV Infrastructure Funding

The push to make the Nissan Leaf the world's first mass produced electric vehicle continues today with the announcement that electric transportation specialist ECOtality, together with its subsidiary eTec, will form the backbone of the EV Project, an endeavor meant to promote EV transportation.

As the leader of the project, ECOtality will receive $100 million in stimulus from the US Department of Energy to create the largest electric vehicle infrastructure in the US to date. The infrastructure will cover San Diego and 11 other cities in California, Washington, Oregon, Arizona and Tennessee.

“Our goal is to make charging a seamless part of the electric vehicle consumer experience,” Don Karner, eTec president said in a release. “As an EV owner, you will certainly charge at home, but you will also be."

The goal is to get the infrastructure ready to receive the projected 1,000 EV to enter each of the test areas by 2011. In the San Diego area alone, eTec estimates some 1,400 charging station will be available for EV drivers.

“We believe electric vehicles are an important part of the work we need to do to address climate change. A broad infrastructure that supports EVs is key to their long-term acceptance. We applaud President Obama’s leadership in this arena, and are privileged to work with our project partners to meet this significant challenge," Kamer added.

Today, ECOtality will join San Diego Gas & Electric, the City of San Diego, and the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) to the local unveiling of Nissan's Leaf, the car which will be the main beneficiary of the infrastructure.