The Leaf is impressive, quiet, comfortable, sophisticated, and bristling with high-tech aids to help with charging and plug-in connectivity.
Examples of household electrical loads that could be shifted to off-peak hours via an automated or controlled mobile app include charging a plug-in vehicle, running a dishwasher, running a hot water heater, running the refrigerator's defrost cycle and ice-making.
Chip developer Qualcomm says plug-in charging is too "cumbersome" and its tech could lead to batteries being topped up while cars are being driven.
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He has hopes that AeroVironment's electric-vehicle charging systems could be in garages and charging stations nationwide if electric vehicles or plug-in hybrids become popular.
In Australia, where he was overseeing a Better Place initiative, the company provides GM customers with a fixed-charging network and home chargers for the plug-in electric-hybrid Volt.
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After charging up the handheld overnight, just plug the base station into your PC's USB port, plop the CD in the drive and you'll be up and messaging in a matter of minutes.
However, all along the eastern seaboard are hundreds of charging stations that feature the industry standard SAE J1772 plug.
The glove can also plug into a PC for data syncing and charging of its battery.
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He scoured the world for the perfect battery technology (a combination of lightweight and long charging), added a solar panel for those without plug-in electricity recharge options, leveraged local university engineering talent to make it all work, and delivered a truly silent generator that can run a full size refrigerator for over a day if the power goes down.
Better Place has also struck a deal with GM Holden to allow owners of the Volt plug-in electric hybrid to use its network of fixed charging stations.
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And with that many charging stations in place, electrical infrastructure could actually meet the demand from millions of plug-in vehicles.
Just plug a mobile device via USB in any of the models and start charging even if the PC is shut down and unplugged.
Plug-in hybrids should give preference to all-electric vehicles at charging stations.
These units can be recharged from 120 VAC wall outlets using the standard charging bases, as well as from vehicles and equipment using an included 12V cigarette plug and cord.
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PowerJolt Universal with ChargeSensor sports a low profile plug for the car's 12 volt accessory outlet and a powerful 10 watt charging circuit to charge mobile devices quickly and safely.
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For comparison's sake, the Jawbone up is rated for up to 10 days but then again, you have to plug it in every time you want to sync, and the cap covering the charging piece is easy to lose.
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