GM and Iberdrola look at recharging infrastructure for EVs

General Motors Europe and Iberdrola have signed an agreement to jointly perform a feasibility study which, ultimately, will analyse the technical requirements of a recharging infrastructure for the integrated marketing and viability of plug-in electric cars. The agreement has been signed by Javier Villalba, Director of Spain Network Business, and Jamal El-Hout, Vice President, Product Planning from General Motors Europe.

This cooperation reflects the interest of both companies, worldwide leaders in their respective business areas, to encourage the development of electric vehicles, in particular extended-range electric vehicles like the Chevrolet Volt, which used at high scale will significantly contribute to increased energy efficiency and environmental protection.

Both companies already work together in an important international project related to plug-in electric vehicles, coordinated by the prestigious Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) from the United States and with the participation of another 41 electrical companies from all over the world.

The main areas of the study, which will be carried out in Spain and the United Kingdom, are convenient and safe charging for consumers. GM and Iberdrola will analyse the requirements for the location of plug sockets in private homes and offices, and public or private parking, and for the installation of electricity meters.

In the framework of this study, both companies expect to develop specific actions to assess the optimum viability of electric cars. General Motors Europe and Iberdrola will analyse E-REV technology and the electrical network capacity and will specify the conditions for the electrical charge of vehicles.

In case the outcome of the viability research is positive, both companies foresee to evaluate possible agreements with the different European, national, regional and local governments, to support the implementation of this initiative.