Fred Meyer partners with ECOtality to install car-charging stations

Seattle -- Electric transportation technology provider ECOtality said Monday that it has partnered with grocer Fred Meyer, a division of The Kroger Co., to install car-charging stations at select stores in Oregon and Washington.



The Blink Level 2 Electric Vehicle Commercial Pedestal Charging Stations will also be installed on major transportation corridors between Seattle store locations and the United States border with Canada.



The deal makes Fred Meyer ECOtality’s first food retail partner in the Northwest.



As part of the agreement, Fred Meyer will become a commercial launch partner for The EV Project.



“Our customers have been clear that they want to take advantage of the emerging electric car market,” said Michael Ellis, president of Fred Meyer Stores.



ECOtality will begin installing Blink charging stations at Fred Meyer stores in summer 2011. ECOtality said it will work with Fred Meyer as well as relevant area stakeholders to utilize the company’s EV Micro-Climate process to determine which stores are suitable for installation. Factors that influence charging site locations include distance to major interstates and transportation routes, and distance to other Blink EV charging facilities.



The Blink Level 2 Commercial Charging Stations incorporate user-friendly features such as fully interactive color touch screens and web-based information delivery via the Blink Network. A Blink Network smartphone application allows users to access charge station locations and GPS navigation, as well as charge status and notifications of completed or interrupted charging.