Watt Plaza Plugs into Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

CENTURY CITY, CA--April 18, 2011: Watt Plaza, a twin 23-story office tower complex in the heart of Century City, has installed two electric vehicle charging stations on the first floor of its parking garage, making it the first office building in Century City to adopt the technology.

“We see electric car charging stations as a great opportunity to encourage our tenants to lower greenhouse gases and reduce dependence on petroleum-based fuels.”

The charging stations are equipped with dual outputs that deliver energy simultaneously: a 7.2 kW 'Level II' hookup charging at 240 volts and a second outlet providing slower 'Level I' charging at 120 volts. Each station is embedded with an on-board computer, a fluorescent display and a utility-grade meter providing precise energy measurement. The stations are also able to send SMS or email notifications to the driver about charging status or interruptions in charging.

Watt Plaza rolled out the charging station program in anticipation of the expanding market for electric cars, which will be available to consumers by early next year. Projections estimate that by 2012, 20 new models will be available for sale to the public, and by 2015, there will be over three million plug-in electric vehicles in use worldwide.

Due to the mileage and limited range of early electric vehicle models, owners traveling long distances will need to charge their cars both overnight at home and during the workday. The charging station installation at Watt Plaza may give employees the confidence to purchase electric vehicles, which generate approximately 25% fewer carbon emissions than conventional models.

"There is a clear role for electric vehicles in the future, especially in a city as car-centric as Los Angeles," said Cameron Benson, General Manager of Watt Plaza. "We see electric car charging stations as a great opportunity to encourage our tenants to lower greenhouse gases and reduce dependence on petroleum-based fuels."

The installation represents the latest milestone for Watt Plaza, which has implemented several environmental programs over the years.?In 2008, Watt Plaza became the first Class-A office space in Los Angeles to replace all urinals with water free technology, and in 2009, the property received the prestigious Gold LEED certification in the "Existing Buildings Operations and Maintenance" category.

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Con Edison Plugs In Electric Vehicle Website

SOURCE: Con Edison Co. of NY, Inc.

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - Apr 21, 2011) - Con Edison has launched a new website (www.conEd.com/electricvehicles) to help people learn more about electric vehicles, how to keep them charged properly and how to decide which type best serves their travelling needs.

An electric vehicle is any car that uses an electric motor for propulsion. Electric vehicles fall into four categories: extended-range, battery, plug-in hybrid and hybrid. These cars, except for the hybrid, can charge by using one of three methods: a standard 120 volt outlet, a 208-240 volt unit, or a public charging station. The new website has more information about charging requirements.

Con Edison introduced the new website as part of the company's participation in this year's New York International Auto Show April 22 and May 1 at the Jacob K. Javits Center.

"Customer education is important to the adoption of electric vehicles," said John Shipman, who heads Con Edison's EV programs. "Con Edison supports the adoption of electric vehicles. These vehicles are environmentally friendly and lessen our dependence on oil."

The company is preparing for individual, early buyers of electric vehicles as well as working closely with businesses that have expressed interest in introducing electric fleets to their operations.

"Our system is ready for electric cars. We will leverage the capabilities of our existing system, including energy efficiency programs," said Shipman. "Studies show that approximately 100,000 to 150,000 electric vehicles could be in our service area by 2020."

Con Edison is a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc. (NYSE: ED), one of the nation's largest investor-owned energy companies, with approximately $13 billion in annual revenues and $36 billion in assets. The utility provides electric, gas and steam service to more than 3 million customers in New York City and Westchester County, New York. For additional information, visit us on the Web at www.conEd.com, at our green site, www.conEd.com/thepowerofgreen, or find us on Facebook at Power of Green.

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Electric Vehicle Plugs Installed

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Ameren plugs their plug-in car; what are the pros and cons of going electric?

If Ameren Illinois wasn't making such a fuss about it, its i MiEV (Mitsubushi innovative Electric Vehicle) might have caught observers by surprise when it rolled up Wednesday at the Ameren Illinois Operating Center in Belleville.

Except for a little tire noise, the vehicle is exceptionally quiet, said Eric Kozak, managing supervisor of the Ameren Illinois fleet.

The i MiEV is a battery-electric vehicle that can travel about 80 miles on a full charge. Ameren Illinois is taking the car around its service area for the next two weeks to show it off.

"We can show our employees and customers what an electric vehicle looks like and discuss the advantages and disadvantages, he said.

Its advantages are that it is quiet, cheap to operate and it can be plugged into an ordinary 110-volt electrical outlet to recharge, he said. Disadvantages include the need to charge it frequently, limited range and high initial price.

Kozak said to charge the car fully for its 80-mile range takes about $2 of electricity. To drive that 80 miles in a normal car at an average of 20 miles per gallon of gasoline at the current price of $3.69 per gallon would be $14.76.

It takes about eight hours to fully charge. For an additional cost, a 220-volt plug is available that will let the car charge a little faster.

"So it is economical," he said. "The initial upfront cost is what is holding it back."

Kozak said Mitsubishi is estimating a $30,000 base price for the car, but it would come with a $7,500 government tax credit. It will be available in 2012.

Kozak said the car has been tested in various outlets at the company and also at employees' homes, and not once has the car failed to charge.

He said that except for the lack of engine noise, the car drives like a normal small car. It has a regenerative braking system that puts a small amount of energy back into the battery when the car is slowing down.

However, alternators have not yet been developed that can recharge the large battery packs while an electric car is in motion.

"Running the heater or air conditioner will reduce the estimated mileage range," he said. "I could see that on the indicator this morning when I turned on the defroster. It dropped, but it came back up when I turned off the defroster."

Kozak said Ameren Illinois customers already are asking questions. Are there going to be charging stations? What do I need to have in my garage?

"We do ask them to contact us when they buy a plug-in car," he said. "If three or four neighbors have the cars, we may need to upgrade the transformers outside. There is no charge for any service up to the electric meter on the house."

He said most people won't need to modify their outlets or do any work inside their houses to accommodate the cars.

Ameren Illinois is in discussions with various groups about charging stations and other issues, such as alternative rates related to the electric cars.

To ask questions or make comments, e-mail the company at corpcomm@ameren.com.

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