Bayer MaterialScience Leads Way to Advanced Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Advanced materials for the plug-in vehicle charging infrastructure: Coulomb Technologies keeps plug-in stations charging ahead with Bayer MaterialScience materials

Pittsburgh, April 13, 2010 - Coulomb Technologies has developed the ChargePoint(r) Networked Charging Stations, the world's easiest and most advanced charging stations for the expanding market of plug-in electric vehicles. Through the use of new impact resistant and ultraviolet- (UV) stable Makrolon(r) polycarbonate resins, Bayer MaterialScience LLC is helping to "fuel the electric transportation industry."

Charging stations are typically located outdoors, where they are exposed to the elements, and the general public, leaving them vulnerable to vandalism, as well as damage from UV exposure and inclement weather. To protect the "brains" of its ChargePoint Networked Charging Stations, Coulomb selected polycarbonate resins from Bayer MaterialScience LLC. In addition to supplying the Makrolon(r) polycarbonate resins, Bayer MaterialScience also provided technical services, assisting Coulomb with materials selection and part design.

"Our goal is to provide Coulomb with the best available materials to help protect their product," said Olivier Delesalle, senior new business development specialist, Polycarbonates, Bayer MaterialScience. "Because sustainability is central to our business - impacting the products we produce and the markets we serve, we are pleased to play a role in advancing the infrastructure for plug-in electric vehicles."

For the ChargePoint Networked Charging Stations display, Coulomb uses Bayer MaterialScience's Makrolon(r) 6557. The resin offers the appearance of glass, combined with the impact strength and moldability of Makrolon(r) polycarbonate, making it ideal for demanding lighting and electrical applications. The new product has excellent light transmission (close to 90 percent at 3mm) while having around one percent haze.

The top piece that covers the top of the charging station is a black plastic cap made of Makrolon(r) 6487 polycarbonate resin. Coulomb engineers vigorously tested the durability of this component, and found it met or exceeded every specification.

"One of our goals is to ensure the antenna and other delicate electronics would not be damaged in almost any foreseeable circumstance," said Tony Vastola, senior manufacturing engineer, Coulomb Technologies. "Bayer MaterialScience helped us select the appropriate material. I can't imagine anything stronger for our product. It has exceeded our expectations."

Coulomb has installed charging stations across the United States and Europe for the past two years. The charging stations are available for installation by municipalities and businesses for use by customers, residents and employees. The stations are a part of the ChargePoint(r) Network which is open to all drivers of plug-in vehicles and provides authentication, management, and real-time control for the networked electric vehicle charging stations. ChargePoint Network unique features include:

*	Charging status by SMS text or email notification 
*	Location of unoccupied charging stations via smart phones 
*	Authenticated access to eliminate energy theft
*	Authorized energizing for safety 
*	Smart Grid integration for utility load management with future
V2G capabilities
*	 ChargePoint iPhone App
> 

"Bayer MaterialScience is providing materials solutions that have increased the durability and overall design of our charging stations," Vastola added.

About Coulomb Technologies, Inc.

Coulomb Technologies is the leader in electric vehicle charging station infrastructure with networked charging stations installed in municipalities and organizations worldwide. Coulomb provides a vehicle-charging infrastructure, with an open system driver network: the ChargePoint Network provides multiple web-based portals for Hosts, Fleet managers, Drivers, and Utilities, and ChargePoint Networked Charging Stations ranging in capability from 120 Volt to 240 Volt AC charging and up to 500 Volt DC charging.

About Bayer MaterialScience

Bayer MaterialScience LLC is one of the leading producers of polymers and high-performance plastics in North America and is part of the global Bayer MaterialScience business with approximately 14,300 employees at 30 production sites around the world and 2009 sales of 7.5 billion euros. The company manufactures high-tech polymer materials and develops innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, electrical and electronics, construction, medical, and sports and leisure industries. Sustainability is central to Bayer MaterialScience LLC's business and is based around the key areas of innovation, product stewardship, excellence in corporate management, social responsibility and respect for the environment.

Coulomb Technologies has developed ChargePoint(r) Networked Charging Stations, the world's easiest and most advanced charging stations for the expanding market of plug-in electric vehicles. Through the use of new impact resistant and ultraviolet-stable materials, Bayer MaterialScience LLC is helping to "fuel the electric transportation industry."