It’s fast becoming apparent that no electric vehicle is complete without an accompanying smartphone app that will help you find places to charge it, and it seems like ECOtality isn’t about to let that trend pass it by. It’s just announced its new Blink Mobile app for iOS, Android and BlackBerry devices, in an effort to let folks locate Blink charging stations , investigate cross-check the charger’s status, and receive various alerts (like when your car is completed charging at home). Unfortunately, you could’t download it just yet, but ECOtality says it is going to be available sometime this summer, with the iOS and Android apps prone to pop out a bit of sooner than the BlackBerry app — an online-based app can be in development. Head on past the break for the entire press release.
Blink Network Extends to Mobile Devices to aid Users Locate Blink Charging Stations, Get Station Information and Receive Charging Status Updates
EDTA, Washington, D.C. – April 19, 2011 – ECOtality, Inc. (NASDAQ:ECTY), a frontrunner in clean electric transportation and storage technologies, today released the Blink™ Mobile Application for smartphones and mobile devices that extends the capabilities of the Blink Network. The mobile application could be on display at the Apple® iPad™ 2, the iPhone™ 4, the Motorola Xoom™, the Google Nexus S™, and the BlackBerry® Torch™ on the Electronic Drive and Transportation Association (EDTA) annual conference in Washington, D.C.
The Blink Mobile Application allows users to access the Blink Network anywhere. The Blink Mobile Application is a multi-use, multi-platform, multi-device application that may be available for both Blink Members and non-members of the Blink Network. Users will probably be in a position to locate Blink Chargers and receive details about charging stations and availability, in addition charging status updates and notifications.
“ECOtality is committed to providing the tools that make EV infrastructure work–and the Blink Mobile Application grants access to the Blink Network anytime, anywhere, giving drivers the charging information they want whether or not they are running errands, commuting to work or planning a road trip,” said Jonathan Read, CEO of ECOtality. “ECOtality has long maintained that EV adoption is a viral activity, this application is the primary of many in development so they can connect EV drivers to their car.”
Find Blink Chargers at the opt for blink™Map Mobile
Electric vehicle drivers can be capable of finding available public charging stations during the new smart phone app whether they’re Blink Network members. Drivers can use their current location, provided by the mobile device’s wireless or GPS coordinates, or manually set a location by entering a city or postal code. Once a location has been entered, blinkMap Mobile will display nearby commercial charging stations at the blinkMap, and offer driving directions, allowing drivers to pick the charging stations at locations convenient to them.
Currently, ECOtality is installing Blink charging stations at locations that fit the way of living of EV drivers, granting drivers the power charge at grocery stores, retail locations, restaurants and employment centers. The blinkMap can also be available online throughout the Blink Network at blinknetwork.com.
View Blink Charger Information and Status
Tapping on a charger pin icon will display Blink charger information, including availability and standing. Additional details for the station would be displayed, including the kind of charging available on the station (Level 2 or DC Fast Charging); the present status of the station (Available, In Use or Unavailable); the charger’s pricing; and knowledge concerning the host site where the charger is found.
Throughout the EV Project ECOtality will install Level 2 charging stations, which might provide a charge in four to 6 hours, and DC Fast Charging stations, that could fully charge a battery in under half-hour.
Receive Charging Status Updates
In the course of the application, electric vehicle drivers can receive notifications in their charging status updates, on their mobile devices, whether or not they are using a Blink Home Charger or charging at public locations using the Blink Commercial Pedestal Charger or the Blink DC Fast Charger. The charging status feature will deliver alerts at the current charging status. Users would be notified of all charging statuses, including the beginning and duration of charging, charging completion, and if their EV has become unplugged or an electric fault has occurred.
The Blink Mobile Application also will notify users of any updates on your EV charging either by email or text message (SMS). Application users might be ready to choose how they receive charging status notifications during the Settings menu. They could also define a default charger locator setting using their mobile devices’ GPS or a zipper code, set units of measurement to Metric or Imperial systems and may edit account details.
Coming to an App Store Near You
The Blink Mobile Application will probably be available Summer 2011 at no cost via all major mobile device application stores and for download and at blinknetwork.com. Use of the Blink Mobile Application won’t require a Blink Membership and can be available to all application and Blink Network users whether or not they’re Blink Members.
Blink Mobile Application on Display at EDTA
ECOtality will display the Blink Mobile Application on quite a few mobile devices and platforms at EDTA, happening on the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. ECOtality will even exhibit the Blink line of EV charging products and solutions in Hall D at Booth 214.
ECOtality might be charging vehicles during EDTA’s Ride and Drive on Tuesday, April 19, from 12:30 PM to five:00 PM and Wednesday, April 20, from 10:00 AM to five:00 PM, during the Company’s Blink Level 2 Commercial Pedestal Charger. The Ride and Drive will kick off with a Motorcade and press conference with Secretary Chu, on Tuesday, April 19 at 10:00 AM, starting on the U.S. Department of Energy building, located at 1000 Independence Avenue Southwest, Washington D.C.
ECOtality is project manager of The EV Project and may oversee the installation of roughly 14,000 commercial and home charging stations in 18 major cities and metropolitan areas in six states and the District of Columbia. The project will provide an EV infrastructure to support the deployment of 8,300 EVs. The project is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy through a federal stimulus grant of $114.8 million, made possible by the yank Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The grants are matched by private investment, bringing the full value of the project to approximately $230 million. For additional info in regards to the EV Project, please visit www.theevproject.com.
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