GE is launching a new residential version of its WattStation electric-car charger that promises to be faster and more user-friendly than traditional charging stations.
The residential WattStation, also designed by Yves Behar, is intended to accelerate the adoption of plug-in electric vehicles by significantly decreasing time needed for vehicle charging.
GE said that residential WattStation will lower the time it takes to charge from 12 to 18 hours for a standard charger to as few as 4 to 8 hours, assuming a full-cycle charge for a 24 kWh battery.
To roll out the WattStation, GE is teaming up with ServiceMagic to provide a network of certified electricians for reliable installation of the residential WattStation in the consumers’ home. In addition GE Capital, working with ServiceMagic, will provide financing options, enabling consumers to pay for the charger and installation costs over time.
“The residential GE WattStation design is friendly and so simple to adopt that it will literally change one’s life overnight: No more trips to the gas station, something that surely no one will miss,” said Yves Behar.
GE WattStation will be commercially available globally in 2011.
