Nissan, GE develop "smart e-car charging stations", no better place

General Electric Co and Nissan Motor Co on Monday announced a three-year agreement to collectively research development of charging stations for electric vehicles.

Nissan will debut the electric Leaf hatchback later this year in Japan, the United States and Europe. The Leaf's batteries will allow it to have a 100-mile range on a full charge, Nissan says.

The two companies say the work will center on "smart" charging stations that would allow for communication with utility companies to ease strain on electric power grids. Eventually, car companies and utilities hope that vehicles can form a power storage source.

Utility companies are working with home and business owners to install 220-volt charging stations what will charge electric vehicles more quickly than the conventional 110-volt outlets in most U.S. homes.

source: reuters.com