Coulomb Tweaks Electric Vehicle Chargers For Europe, Ready For Nissan LEAF

Lora Kolodny

Lora Kolodny is a technology journalist. As of 2012 she works as a reporter for Dow Jones covering startups and venture capital. Her writing is also syndicated to the Dow Jones owned Wall Street Journal. Lora began reporting on business, technology and entertainment in 2002. She has worked as greentech writer and editor at TechCrunch, and as a staff reporter... → Learn More

Tuesday, April 5th, 2011

Coulomb Technologies — a Campbell, Calif. company that makes electric vehicle charging stations, related apps and network technology — today revealed new features and certifications that should help the company grow its business in European markets, and prepare for the Nissan LEAF to hit the streets.

One new feature of the company’s ChargePoint network allows Coulomb’s charging stations to accept payments via MIFARE transportation cards, a fare collection system used widely by electric vehicle drivers, station owners, municipalities and utilities in Europe.

Additionally, Coulomb’s ChargePoint CT2500 (the model 3, type 2) charging station also obtained European safety certifications that verify its compatibility with the Nissan LEAF. The hotly anticipated electric vehicle is due soon on roads in Portugal, Ireland, the UK and The Netherlands, according to a Coulomb press statement.

Coulomb’s products compete with Nissan LEAF compatible charging stations in production or promised by GE (NYSE: GE), Park Pod, EV-Charge America and Aerovironment.

Although the Obama Administration did set a goal to put one million plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles on the road by 2015, export opportunities in Europe may prove a big growth driver for clean tech companies like Coulomb.

European regulators have, compared to their counterparts in the United States, more aggressively created standards, financial incentives and strategies around the uptake of clean and energy-efficient vehicles, for example, the European Green Cars Initiative.

Website: chargepoint.com
Launch Date: 2007
Funding: $80.3M

Coulomb delivers networked charging stations and provides a service that meets the needs of drivers, municipalities, electric utilities and government entities

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Company: Nissan Motor
Launch Date: 1933

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, operates as an automotive company. The company primarily offers light passenger cars, trucks, buses, forklifts, special utility vehicles, and related components. It also provides financial services that include leases and credits. In addition, the company engages in various marine businesses, including pleasure boat production and sales, marina business, and export of outboard engines. It has operations in Japan, the United States, Canada, Mexico, France, the United Kingdom, Spain, Asia, Oceania, the...

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