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World's First Networked Charging Stations for EVs Powered by Multi-Tech Systems

Posted on: Wednesday, 1 April 2009, 08:00 CDT

Coulomb Technologies To Use Multi-Tech's Cellular Modems for Unique, Networked Features

MINNEAPOLIS, April 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Multi-Tech Systems today announced that Coulomb Technologies is using the MultiModem CDMA cellular wireless modem as part of its ChargePoint(TM) Networked Charging Stations; the first networked charging stations available for plug-in vehicles. Coulomb offers a family of products and services that provide a plug-in vehicle charging infrastructure called the ChargePoint(SM) Network. Multi-Tech Systems enables communications for these stations with cellular modems that connect them to the ChargePoint Network Operating System (NOS). This provides many unique features including: authentication/authorized access to eliminate energy theft, authorized energizing for safety, subscriber usage monitoring, remote monitoring and diagnostics, fleet vehicle management and grid load management. Multi-Tech and the ChargePoint Network Charging Station can be seen at the CTIA show in Multi-Tech Systems booth number 1124 M2M Zone.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040505/MTSLOGO)

"We all know the growing importance of transportation, like electric vehicles, which reduce pollution and our reliance on imported oil," said Bill Chesney, vice president of sales and marketing for Multi-Tech Systems, Inc. "We are very proud of our part in enabling Coulomb Technologies charging stations to call 'home'. Along with the next generation technologies required for an infrastructure like Coulomb's comes the need for next generation communications to keep it efficiently operating. We provide that efficiency with state-of-the art cellular communications."

Each local group of ChargePoint Networked Charging Stations connects to each other to form an 802.15.4 local area network mesh, and one charging station (gateway) connects to the ChargePoint NOS via the MultiModem CDMA cellular wireless modem. The cellular modems provide the wireless Internet connectivity required to communicate with the ChargePoint NOS.

We found Multi-Tech's MultiModems to provide the best combination of size, features, cost, reliability and network compatibility available," said Praveen K. Mandal, president of Coulomb Technologies. "The flexibility of wireless communications is very important to our operation. We can set-up a charging station on virtually any street corner where traditional phone lines may not be available. With a Multi-Tech cellular modem, all we have to do is plug it in and set it up to call our network, and only pay for airtime, which can also reduce expenses. Multi-Tech is a good partner for us and they bring the efficiency and modern communications we need."

Plug-in electrical vehicles will become more common as major car manufacturers meet their electric car shipment dates and as the number of two and three wheeled electric powered designs take to the roads. With the stimulus package including billions of government dollars invested in electric powered transportation and tax credits for individual purchasers making vehicles more economical, there will be a growing need for vehicle charging stations.

Subscribers accessing the Coulomb ChargePoint Network sign-up for the charging service subscription plan via an online subscriber portal at mychargepoint.net. Subscribers receive a ChargePoint Network Smart Card that allows them to charge their car at any charging station in the network worldwide. To locate available charging stations, visit http://mychargepoint.net and click "Find Stations".

About Coulomb Technologies, Inc.

Coulomb Technologies, headquartered in Campbell, Calif., offers a family of products and services that provide a plug-in vehicle charging infrastructure, which includes ChargePoint Networked Charging Stations ranging in capability from 120V 15A to 240V 80A AC charging to 120kW DC charging. Coulomb applies networking technology to the challenge of charging electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids in order to fuel the electric transportation industry. Coulomb's ChargePoint Network addresses the needs of drivers, utilities, governments and parking space owners. Visit http://www.coulombtech.com for more information.

About Multi-Tech Systems

Multi-Tech Systems, a leading data communications and telecommunications technology company based in suburban Minneapolis, is an ISO 9001:2000 certified global manufacturer of Unified Communications and device networking products connecting voice and data over IP networks. It is certified by the WBENC as a Women's Business enterprise, and by C-TPAT (Custom Services Trade Partnership Against Terrorism). Multi-Tech Systems has 70 U.S. patents and numerous international patents. Contact Multi-Tech at http://www.multitech.com.

SOURCE Multi-Tech Systems, Inc.

Source: PR Newswire

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