GE and Juice Technologies Co-Developing Electric Vehicle Charging Devices

 The chargers integrate GE’s smart meters with Juice Technology’s Plug Smartâ„¢ engine to help consumers charge their cars during low-demand, lower cost time periods.

Smart chargers will hasten acceptance of plug-in cars by making them more attractive to both consumers and utilities. Consumers will benefit by receiving the lowest-possible charging rates for their cars. Utilities will be able to better control the demand for electricity and take on the added load of electric vehicles without over taxing their grids. Utilities will also realize greater value from their capital equipment during overnight and other low-demand times, when it is substantially less utilized.

"Our smart charging system and advanced technology have been in development over the past two years," said Rich Housh, CEO of Juice Technologies. "We’ve collaborated with utilities and with Ohio State University’s Center for Automotive Research to develop the right solution for both utilities and consumers. Our collaboration with GE gives us the expertise we need to bring our solutions to market."

Electric vehicles will begin shipping in volume across the United States in 2010. Charging stations will be needed to meet the growing consumer demand.

"Plug-in electric vehicles will become the new transportation reality," said Bob Gilligan, vice president—transmission and distribution for GE Energy Services. "These chargers will help consumers use electric cars as cost-effectively as possible, speeding their adoption—lowering our carbon footprint and dependence on foreign oil. Smart chargers will make it easier and more cost effective to power clean, efficient cars with electricity made from clean, domestic sources."

GE will offer a comprehensive line of charging products that combine GE’s smart meter technology and communication capabilities with Juice Technologies’ patent-pending intelligent charging technology. A multi-generational PEV product architecture will meet or exceed requirements set forth by utilities nationwide.

Initial chargers will be available in the United States in the second quarter of 2010, with full-scale production ramping up throughout the year. Global availability will follow.

Juice Technologies is a leading provider of products and technologies that enable the intelligent charging of electric and plug-in electric vehicles as well as products to optimize home and business energy use. Juice Technologies’ products are sold under the brand Plug Smart and are distributed worldwide through electric utilities and the consumer electronics channel.

GE is a diversified global infrastructure, finance and media company that’s built to meet essential world needs. From energy, water, transportation and health to access to money and information, GE serves customers in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide.

GE serves the energy sector by developing and deploying technology that helps make efficient use of natural resources. With 60,000 global employees and 2009 revenues of $37 billion, GE Energy www.ge.com/energy is one of the world’s leading suppliers of power generation and energy delivery technologies. The businesses that comprise GE  provide integrated product and service solutions in all areas of the energy industry including coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear energy; renewable resources such as water, wind power, solar energy and biogas; and other alternative fuels.

www.ge.com