ABB, the power and automation technology group, today announced it has signed a $5 million dollar non-exclusive licensing agreement with ECOtality, Inc.(NASDAQ: ECTY), a leader in clean electric transportation and storage technologies, to utilize ECOtality’s Blink® Network for ABB’s electric vehicle (EV) charging systems.
The Blink Network is a robust operating platform that enables EV charging providers to integrate with utilities and other third parties to facilitate data exchange, utility services, energy management, media communications, and membership and payment programs. The Blink Network provides EV drivers the freedom to travel as they choose and conveniently charge at Blink enabled commercial locations along the way.
Concurrently, ABB made a follow-on investment in ECOtality of $5 million in the form of convertible debt. This investment follows the $14 million venture capital investment ABB made in the company in 2011. ABB’s EV infrastructure portfolio was strengthened last year following the acquisition of Netherlands-based Epyon, an early leader in electric vehicle charging infrastructure solutions, including DC fast charging systems and associated back-office systems which can be connected to various Business-to-Consumer service platforms such as the Blink Network.
