DALLAS -- ECOtality Inc., which specializes in clean electric transportation technologies, on Aug. 18 launched its Blink commercial charging network in the Dallas metro area. 

Representatives from the state of Texas, city of Dallas, Oncor and EV advocates joined ECOtality for the launch of the Blink commercial network in the Deep Ellum neighborhood, near downtown Dallas. 

As part of the EV Project’s rollout of EV infrastructure, ECOtality has plans to install over 200 charging stations in the Dallas metro area over the coming months.

“Dallas embraces electric vehicles because they make economic and environmental sense,” said Dallas Mayor Pro Tem Pauline Medrano, who represents the historic Deep Ellum neighborhood where Blink’s first public charging station is located. “The residents and professionals leading our community’s urban revitalization efforts choose to live here because of the smart transportation choices available, including this Blink Network charging station.”

Deep Ellum’s Main Street Parking Lot, owned by Madison Partners, is the site of two Blink pedestal charging stations.

ECOtality began installing publicly available charging stations in the Dallas area in May, and thus far has installed 17 chargers throughout the greater Dallas metro area. As project manager of the EV Project, ECOtality is overseeing the installation of approximately 14,000 charging stations in 18 markets -- including Dallas and Houston -- in six states and Washington, D.C.

“Plug-In Texas commends ECOtality, an important member of our coalition, for further advancing the public charging infrastructure in North Texas with the EV Project,” said Russ Keene, president of Plug-In Texas. “Electric vehicles are a positive progression for the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. These exciting, clean vehicles will make vehicle ownership more affordable and make a significant contribution to emission reductions, transforming transportation for Texas.”

ECOtality began installations of its Blink Pedestal charging stations earlier this year. A variety of factors were taken into consideration as ECOtality selected the locations for public charging stations, including the locations of major city attractions, retail and shopping hubs, employment centers and traffic patterns. ECOtality worked closely with area stakeholders, including Oncor Electric and North Central Texas Council of Governments, to determine the best sites for public charging stations.

“Oncor’s investment in millions of advanced meters and 1,000 miles of new transmission lines to deliver clean, renewable domestic power make Dallas the best city in the world for electric vehicles,” said Debbie Dennis, Oncor’s Dallas vice president. “Using information from their smart meters, customers can choose the best plan for cost-effective charging, and EV owners in Texas can take advantage of abundant wind power at night when they’re parked at home.”

For more information about the EV Project, click here.

Businesses in the greater Dallas and Houston areas that are interested in hosting Blink charging stations can contact Dave Aasheim, Texas area manager at ECOtality, at daasheim@ecotality.com or by calling (214) 551-4014.