General Electric to make faster battery chargers for electric vehicles, reducing recharge time
By APTuesday, July 13, 2010
GE to make faster electric-vehicle battery charger
SAN FRANCISCO — General Electric Co. said Tuesday that it has developed an electric vehicle charger that will reduce the amount of time it takes to replenish depleted batteries.
The GE WattStation will be sold in 2011, and GE said a home version will be introduced later this year.
The equipment can reduce the time it takes to charge an electric vehicle battery from 12 to 18 hours to around four to eight hours, according to GE.
GE is already working on projects with Nissan and the Rocky Mountain Institute to prepare for electric vehicle and it is part owner of the A123 Systems battery maker.
Electric vehicles such as the Chevy Volt and the Nissan Leaf are scheduled to go on sale later this year.
GE shares rose 35 cents, or 2.3 percent, to $15.28 in afternoon trading.
