The first public Electric Vehicle station was launched recently by Coulomb Technologies on its ChargePoint network in downtown San Jose, California. Announced last summer at the Plug-In 2008 conference, the Smartlets, as the electric charging outlets are called, utilize a subscription service to permit drivers to park and charge their cars.
A card is issued to drivers who sign up for the service, which is free after a $9.95 processing fee. Access to a plug is given when the driver waves the card in front of the Smartlet. After plugging in the door locks again until the driver is ready to leave.
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