Most of the comments seem to focus on two things: the subscription service concept and vandalism in it’s many forms.

Starting with the subscription service, we decided to go with this model for several reasons. One of the primary ones is the idea that we can offer different plans based on your charging needs. If you plan to charge only at night you will pay less for a subscription than if you need to charge during peak hours (noon to 6PM), for example. There is nothing in the technology that prevents paying by the charge using a credit card but putting a credit card transaction device in every unit would drive the price up so we will be offering a central pay station similar to what you sometimes see in newer parking meter systems. Credit card companies charge a fee for each transaction as well as a percentage of the transaction so this will be more expensive than subscribing. If you need to charge outside your own garage every day a subscription will be the way to go. Many people don’t have garages (NYC, for example) and many people will want to “top up” their batteries while at work or shopping. Our approach allows parking property owners to install charge points at a low cost and get their capital investment repaid through the revenue they receive as the charge points are used by subscribers. One of the big advantages for subscribers is their web portal called mychargepoint.com. This is where the subscriber goes to create their account but it also keeps track of where they have charged their cars and how much electricity they have consumed. They can also plan routes and see where charge points are located. If they have a navigation system, the locations will be provided so that they can navigate to an available charge point.

Regarding vandalism, we agree that it could be an issue. The Coulomb Smartlet (the charge point) has a locking door to protect the 110v socket that is located within. The subscriber key fob unlocks the door so that the plug can be inserted in the socket. The door then closes most of the way (open just enough for cable clearance) and locks so that someone can’t unplug the cable during charging. To unlock the procedure is reversed – the fob is used to unlock the door, the cable is unplugged and the door re-locks. By the way, the socket is not energized until the cable is plugged in and will de-energize if current is interrupted by unplugging from the car or if the cable is severed. The units are robust, similar to parking meters and gasoline pumps which are subject to the same problems of damage whether vandalism or accident. The National Electric Code requires that they be pass laboratory tests by an accredited testing agency such as Underwriter’s Laboratory. Of course, the cables can still be cut by vandals. Also the car manufacturers should be thinking of ways to protect the car side of the cable from being disconnected accidentally or on purpose.

I hope this answers most of the questions. Please visit the Coulomb Technologies website to learn more about our products and services.

Wou must live in South San Antonio !!!

Tom

I think people forget just how brutal American streets are. It’s not always a spring afternoon in Switzerland folks. American streets need to be treated like a war zone.

I don’t know where you live, but I live in the US and I’ve been parking in a public metered space in an urban area of Maryland every work day for more than 10 years and I can’t ever remember one of the meters being vandalized. In fact, the parking space that I most often park in has probably had the exact same meter for 10 years.

PROS
1. It could eliminate the limited range problem in 100% electric cars
2. No worries about vandalism (as long as the quick charging stations are 24/7 supervised) So you can be sure, that you will always be ready to go and nobody is going to spoil your day.
3. The habits of the drivers are not changed – they still “refuel” their cars in specific locations. Only this time the fuel is electricity. The spots (stations themselves) are also in the place.
4. No need for territory-wide infrastructure change. I mean, the quick charging stations don’t have to be built as much as gas stations, because there is still an option to slow-charge the car elsewhere. Therefore, quick charging stations can be placed in more remote areas and at the cities’ edges. As for charging parking lots – this calls for a major changes in almost all apartment buildings, offices and streets, etc. THAT’S expensive. It involves a lot paperwork and working hours. Upgrading some gas stations to quick-charge stations is not so complicated from this point of view.
5. Forces to improve the grid, which is not a bad thing and should be done anyway. I don’t know how good is the grid in USA right now, but building upgrading should anyways be a good thing as stable power supply should be required in the future.

CONS

1. People would be afraid to handle such high power, even if the system is safe
2. The charging would STILL be slower than refilling a gas tank, which for some customers could be unacceptable
3. The utility companies could possibly not coupe with the power demand
4. The utility companies could refuse to upgrade the grid.
5. Maintenance of the power storage (the trailer sized batteries) in the quick charge stations is an issue.

As for the batteries that should be fast-charged. They exist! They just have to be tested and certified but that’s ALREADY in progress.
Check this out:
http://www.teslamotors.com/blog4/

(start reading the comments starting from “Purnell wrote on July 7th, 2008 at 6:55 pm” and see what “Roy wrote on July 10th, 2008 at 3:37 pm” answers.)

Someone mentioned the trailer sized batteries for storage as if it was SOMETHING! Hello! The giant fuel tanks in the gas stations are probably buried right under you when you refuel. That, somehow, doesn’t bother anyone.

Oh, and one more thing: the fast charging shouldn’t be as cheap as possible. They should put a fairly high price (but still reasonably lower than gasoline) in order to encourage people to slow-charge at home as much as possible and not make long waiting lines.

But I also understand one thing. These fast charging stations would only be let loose if the automakers decide that only 100% electric vehicles are the real future. So, I think that they have to come to a consensus: What will be the next thing that will turn the wheels of future cars? Electricity, hydrogen, bio-fuel or a mix (hybrids). I think it is very essential to come to this consensus. It would clear the future vision for a lot of people. Just like, when the media format industry finally came to a consensus in the Blu-ray VS HDDVD case.

Well, I pick 100% electric cars, because I think electricity is a very universal and convenient energy. Easy to transport as well (through wires and cables).

I’m thinking tapping into light poles (which the picture shows and one of the charging station types the company offers) will probably be much easier (and cheaper) if there is a safe way to do it that way (since this is slow charge anyways perhaps the added load wouldn’t be too bad). The installation process for the standalone charger station shouldn’t be much different than that of a street light.

This would be a massive infrastructure cost. Would Coulomb be paying for that?

In private parking lots, it would be a bit easier, but still quite a bit of work….

Thanks for your input. It will help contain rampant speculation.