The PEP Station.

The new PEP Station is aimed at building a solid charging infrastructure as the electric vehicle market begins to grow. Similar to a standard fuel pump, the PEP Station allows drivers of electric vehicles to access electricity via an access card or credit card. When a vehicle connects to the PEP Station’s 220V power supply, the PEP Station recognizes a connection and the LCD screen prompts the user to accept the price per hour of connectivity, if payment by credit card is desired, or swipe an access card. The station then asks the user to select the amount of charging time required and will begin charging or ask for a credit card to be swiped for authorization.

When the vehicle’s battery has been fully charged, or the time selected elapses, the station automatically discontinues the electricity. If the user does not desire to fully charge the vehicle, or wishes to discontinue the charge prior to the selected time expiring, they simply disconnect the power cord. The entire process is as easy as traditional methods of fueling vehicles.

At the 2010 NAIAS the PEP Station is the exclusive recharging station provided for EcoXperience, the showcase of electric vehicles and green technologies which features a quarter-mile indoor ride-and-drive test track surrounded by landscaped and forested terrain. Two PEP Stations have been installed at the test track and are being used as charging points for the electric vehicles being actively demonstrated, and a further three units will be available for display and demonstration purposes.

Conceptualized, designed and sold by PEP Stations, LLC, PEP Stations are a joint collaboration of James Blain Associates and Ricardo. James Blain Associates is a Michigan-based design and architectural company.