Ricardo Inc. and PEP Stations LLC will reveal “Pay at the Plug” EV charging station at New York Auto Show

We are all going to have to come to the realization that hybrids, pure electric vehicles->ke1030, and plug-in hybrids are the future. As cheesy as that sounds, it is a fact. And as technology progresses in the motor vehicle world so must the accessories to that world. Hybrids->ke147 are increasing in popularity, but the soar of sales has yet to come due to the number two question on everyone’s mind, “Where can I charge my car?” For everyone who cannot get past not knowing the number one question, here it is: “How much money will I save on gas?” Moving right along, Ricardo Inc. with PEP Stations LLC has developed a credit card-friendly electric vehicle charging station to rally into the future of “paying at the plug”. This new technology will be demonstrated at the 2010 New York International Auto Show->ke226 in the EV Pavilion, April 3rd-11th.

This charging station has a reinforced concrete base, a touch-screen interface, a built-in point-of-sale terminal, and is engineered with auto grade components. Each unit’s dual connectors are SAE J1772 compliant and have UL approval.

Follow the jump for more of the story plus the press release.

"As the electric-vehicle market begins to flourish, consumers will need a convenient, reliable and easily accessible way to charge their vehicle outside of the home. It's that simple," says PEP Stations President James Blain. "The PEP Station does just that in a safe, reliable, user-friendly, 220V charging station that can easily be installed at commercial destinations such as office buildings, restaurants, retail outlets, health clubs and more."

"With CO2 emissions reduction targets being adopted around the world, we expect to see steady growth in the market for electrified vehicles, such as hybrids, pure electric vehicles and range-extending plug-in hybrids," said Ricardo global director of controls and electronics Karina Morley.

"The creation of a commercially viable and effective recharging infrastructure will be a key enabler to the achievement of climate-change goals by allowing drivers of these electrified vehicles to maximize their zero-emission mileage."

Ricardo Inc. and PEP Stations LLC have timed the release of these wall-mounted, recharging units perfectly. They will be released at the beginning of the fourth quarter alongside the onslaught of electric vehicles being released around the same time such as the Nissan Leaf->ke3484, Chevy Volt, and the Ford Focus EV.

Press Release

Electric-vehicle drivers who dream of roaming the country and "paying at the plug" for electricity can see a glimpse of the future at the 2010 New York International Auto Show's EV Pavilion, where Ricardo Inc., in collaboration with PEP Stations LLC, will demonstrate its credit card-friendly electric vehicle charging station.

The PEP Station is the exclusive recharging station at the Green Car Journal EV Pavilion, a high-profile showcase of electric vehicles and green technologies, which will feature an indoor ride-and-drive test track. More than one million visitors are expected to visit the EV Pavilion over the course of the auto show, which is open to the general public April 3–11. A media preview will be held March 31 and April 1.

Two PEP Stations, which allow drivers of electric vehicles to access electricity via an access card or credit card just like today's conventional fuel pumps, have been installed at the test track and will be used to charge the many electric vehicles being actively demonstrated. PEP Station team members will man three additional units, which will be available for display and demonstration purposes.

Although electric-vehicle owners can charge at home, in order for the driver to roam with total confidence, an infrastructure for out-of-home charging must be developed to make charging easy. The earliest adopters of the PEP station likely will be companies that offer access as an incentive for their employees to drive green vehicles. Longer term, commercial recharging will become common.

"The first question most people ask when they begin to toy with the idea of owning an electric vehicle is, 'How much will I save in gas?'" says PEP Stations President James Blain. "Equally as important as the first question, the second question is, 'Where will I charge my vehicle?' That's where we come in.

"As the electric-vehicle market begins to flourish, consumers will need a convenient, reliable and easily accessible way to charge their vehicle outside of the home. It's that simple," he added. "The PEP Station does just that in a safe, reliable, user-friendly, 220V charging station that can easily be installed at commercial destinations such as office buildings, restaurants, retail outlets, health clubs and more."

The new PEP Stations, which allow two vehicles to be charged simultaneously, are aimed at building a solid charging infrastructure as the electric-vehicle market begins to grow. Each one features a reinforced concrete base, a touch-screen interface and a built-in point-of-sale terminal, which makes it the most durable and user-friendly charge station available. The units are engineered with auto-grade components, its dual connectors are SAE J1772 compliant and they will come with UL approval.

All stations will be centrally monitored and have communication capabilities to allow for diagnostic reporting, software updates and custom advertising/graphic display updates via the LCD screen. All of this is aesthetically captured in a highly identifiable design.

The PEP Station has been developed to complement the release of electric vehicles in the second half of 2010. Production units will include a wall-mount version and will be available at the beginning of the fourth quarter 2010.