Another Ikea Store Offers Electric Vehicle Charging

December 13, 2011  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in Green on December 14, 2011

Home furnishings retailer Ikea's Covina, Calif., store has plugged in four Blink Level 2 electric vehicle charging stations.

The move is part of Ikea's partnership with ECOtality Inc., a leader in clean electric transportation and storage technologies. This initiative represents the fifth such project for Ikea in the United States. Installation also is planned at four other Ikea stores in the Western United States.

"Installing electric-vehicle charging stations at Ikea Covina is another way to build upon our commitment to sustainability," said Kristien Verbeke, Ikea Covina store manager. "At Ikea, we believe in being a good business while doing good business. Making it easier for the public to drive EVs--with support from ECOtality and SCE--accomplishes both goals."

ECOtality is the project manager of The EV Project, a public-private partnership funded in part by a federal stimulus grant from the U.S. Department of Energy made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to provide the necessary infrastructure to support the deployment of EVs. ECOtality is overseeing the installation of approximately 14,000 commercial and residential charging stations in 18 cities and major metropolitan areas in six states and the District of Columbia. Ikea stores are in four of those states.

"We are excited to see our work with Ikea come to fruition with this Blink installation at IKEA Covina," said Brian Koontz, ECOtality national accounts manager. "Ikea is a recognizable destination for many consumers and therefore an ideal location for EV drivers."