Schneider Electric Powers up Electric Vehicles with EVlink Outdoor Charging Stations

Schneider Electric, a global specialist in energy management, today announced the availability of the EVlinkTM outdoor electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. The outdoor EV charging stations are the newest addition to Schneider Electric’s EVlink portfolio, which consists of a comprehensive line of residential and commercial EV charging solutions. The availability of the EVlink outdoor chargers follows the launch of the company’s EVlink indoor residential charger, which was announced in February. The EVlink outdoor charging stations are a simple, easy-to-install, and user-friendly solution for recharging vehicles outside.

With EVs increasingly hitting the roads and President Obama’s call for one million EVs to be on the road by 2015, there is a growing demand for reliable charging infrastructure. Schneider Electric is ready to meet that demand and speed the adoption of EVs globally with their comprehensive line of residential, commercial, and fast-charging EV chargers as well as installation and maintenance services through its EcoXpertTM training and certification program. Schneider Electric’s complete solution enables users to better manage their energy use and integrate with the Smart Grid by incorporating Schneider Electric’s Wiser™ Energy Management System to monitor, manage and make energy-use visible and actionable in their home.

Key features of the Schneider Electric EVlink outdoor charging stations include:

· Standards Compliance: UL listed and SAE J1772 compliance ensures compatibility with any electric vehicle entering the market today.
· Ground fault monitoring and protection: Detects ground faults and provides protection from power outages and lost connectivity. An integral ground fault interrupter set at 5mA provides protection to users if a ground fault is detected. Automatic recovery and re-start functionality allows charging to resume following a power loss or ground fault detection.
· DUAL Charging Option: Two charging circuits integrated into one pedestal offers lower installation and equipment cost, and ideal in when supporting multiple parking stall locations.
· Physical Specifications: The chargers are available in wall or pedestal mounts and in dual or single charging units. Authentication using a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) card scan ensures that only approved users can access the charging station.

“We know that charging EVs inherently adds new pressures to the grid,” said Mike Calise, director, Electric Vehicle Solutions, Power Business, Schneider Electric. “Schneider Electric is prepared to help commercial energy consumers and utilities work together to manage the additional load through our complete EV and energy management solutions. There continues to be an overwhelming response from our traditional customers to offer an integrated solution, including EV charging infrastructure and an infrastructure management system, that will enable better control over energy costs and Smart Grid integration.”

Schneider Electric is partnering with the city of Fort Collins, CO to roll out EVlink chargers throughout the city. “Fort Collins owns and operates a progressive municipal electric utility. Our businesses and residents have a history of taking the lead on energy conservation and energy efficiency practices,” said Mike Freeman, City of Ft. Collins, chief financial officer. “Through our partnership with Schneider Electric and Spirae, Inc. we are continuing that tradition by rolling out the area’s first EV charging stations. The EVlink charging stations will provide our community with new technology to support their choice of energy-efficient vehicles.”

Schneider Electric’s new EcoXpert training and certification program for electrical contractors helps them to grow their business and increase sales opportunities through renewable and energy efficient products, such as EVlink charging stations. The exclusive program will assist contractors in advising, selling and installing a broad range of EV solutions across commercial, industrial and residential applications.

The Schneider Electric EVlink level II basic outdoor EV chargers are available today through Schneider Electric and can be used for both commercial and residential applications. Schneider Electric will unveil additional residential and commercial level II and III EV charging solutions this year.

Schneider Electric is exhibiting at the Plug-In 2011 conference taking place July 18-21, 2011 at the Raleigh Convention and Conference Center, in Raleigh, NC. Come see Schneider Electric’s EVlink charging solutions at booth # 403.

Supporting Resources:

For more information about the EVlink charging solutions: www.schneider-electric.us/go/EVlink
EV Fast Facts from Schneider Electric: http://static.schneider-electric.us/docs/Electrical%20Distribution/Electric%20Vehicle%20Charging/Indoor%20EVCS/EV20Fast%20Facts.pdf
Learn about Schneider Electric’s Wiser Energy Management System: www.schneider-electric.us/go/wiser
Learn about Schneider Electric’s EcoXpert training and certification program: www.schneider-electric.us/go/ecoxpert
Follow Schneider Electric at: http://twitter.com/schneiderna

About Schneider Electric
As a global specialist in energy management with operations in more than 100 countries, Schneider Electric offers integrated solutions across multiple market segments, including leadership positions in energy and infrastructure, industrial processes, building automation, and data centers/networks, as well as a broad presence in residential applications. Focused on making energy safe, reliable, and efficient, the company’s 110,000 plus employees achieved sales of more than $26 billion in 2010, through an active commitment to help individuals and organizations “Make the most of their energy.”

www.schneider-electric.com/us