ESCONDIDO, Calif., Feb. 12, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Baker Electric, Inc., a full-service electrical prime and subcontractor, is pleased to announce it has installed ECOtality's (Nasdaq:ECTY) first commercial Blink DC Fast Charger (480 volt – 3-Phase AC input) on a San Diego college campus. Baker Electric Inc. (BEI) installed the DC Fast Charger in Parking Lot G on the San Diego State University (SDSU) campus as part of the university's sustainability initiative. The station can provide most electric vehicles (EVs) with an 80 percent charge in less than 30 minutes.
Baker Electric Inc. is a Nissan Leaf / ECOtality certified Blink Network installer. The Blink DC Fast Charger was installed on January 17 and commissioned on January 21, 2013. It is now open for public charging. The SDSU station is the eighth installation in the State of California and was funded by the EV Project, a Department of Energy funded program administered by ECOtality. Baker Electric is also in the process of installing six additional Blink conventional chargers in SDSU Parking Lot G. Those chargers are expected to be available for use early spring.
The Blink ergonomic design provides intelligent user-friendly features to intuitively and safely charge EVs in wet or dry conditions. Blink DC Fast Chargers differ from conventional chargers by utilizing direct current. EV drivers can charge their EVs up to 80% in under thirty minutes using Blink DC Fast Chargers. Blink Level 2 chargers use a 220-volt outlet and take 6-8 hours to provide a full charge, depending on battery size. Nissan Leaf owners have access to a variety of innovative and easy-to-use mobile phone apps to help them schedule charges during off-peak utility hours, check charges remotely, keep track of energy used and money saved.
"It's truly exciting for Baker Electric to take part in introducing Blink DC Fast Chargers to the San Diego community," said BEI President Ted Baker. "The EV Project is changing how consumers view clean electric transportation. As we enter our 75th year in business, it's fitting to pair our history with the new DC Fast Charger on the San Diego State University campus."
"We are excited to work with Baker Electric in installing a Blink DC Fast Charger on SDSU's campus," said Andy Hoskinson, San Diego Manager for ECOtality. "Baker Electric has been a great partner in helping ECOtality build out the EV infrastructure needed to help San Diego lead the charge in EV readiness."
For more information on Baker Electric, Inc., visit http://www.baker-electric.com or call (760) 745-2001.
About Baker Electric Inc.
Founded in 1938, Baker Electric, Inc. provides comprehensive pre-construction services and the planning, coordination, design | build, in-house electrical engineering and project management of any size project from initial design to follow-up maintenance. BEI serves as both a prime and subcontractor. BEI installed its first Blink® Level 2 (240 volt - AC input) residential charging station in December 2010 and has completed 477 residential installations to date. In addition, BEI has installed 201 publicly-available, commercial Level 2 and one Blink Level 3 DC Fast Chargers. For more information, visit http://www.baker-electric.com.
About ECOtality, Inc.
ECOtality, Inc. (Nasdaq:ECTY), headquartered in San Francisco, California, is a leader in clean electric transportation and storage technologies. Through innovation, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships, ECOtality accelerates the market applicability of advanced electric technologies to replace carbon-based fuels. For more information about ECOtality, Inc., please visit www.ecotality.com.
The ECOtality, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=13434 ;
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain as they are based on current expectations and assumptions concerning future events or future performance of the company. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are only predictions and speak only as of the date hereof. In evaluating such statements, prospective investors should review carefully various risks and uncertainties identified in this release and matters set in the company's SEC filings. These risks and uncertainties could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements.