2012 Galleries

Galleries // 2012 Spark:Product // GE Residential WattStation

GE Residential WattStation

Winner - Platinum

Competition: Spark:Product
Designer: Yves Behar - Founder/Chief Designer
Design Type: Product
Website: http://www.fuseproject.com

The GE WattStation wall mount is an electric vehicle charging station that is designed for private homes and garages. Bringing the beauty and convenience of charging to the home, the residential WattStation works to make it as easy as ever to own an electric vehicle and reduce your carbon footprint. Electric vehicles have the potential to revolutionize transportation. However, in order to see the widespread adoption of electric vehicles, the electrical grid must be modernized and charging stations must be accessible, quick and easy. The WattStation combines functionality with a consumer friendly form that works to become an integral part of this evolving technology. The residential Wattstation brings the ease of electric vehicle charging to your home and private spaces. Instead of traveling to the gas pump or public EV charging station to power their car, the residential Wattstation puts the power at the hands of the consumers. Simply drive up, plug in and start charging. The friendly design and ease of use aids the spread of this important, sustainable technology. Like its predecessor, the WattStation wall mount was designed to break all paradigms of the conventional EV charging station. With an understated and user-friendly design, the WattStation can fit into any home environment with ease. It can be hardwired for more permanent installations or simply plugged in for temporary use and easy removal of the unit, making it adaptable for any scenario. Its compact form ensures an unimposing presence; whether it’s mounted in a family garage or apartment parking structure, its soft yet robust design invites the user in. The UI is optimized for ergonomic comfort; using LEDs and a simple power button, the unit keeps the interaction simple and clear. A green, backlit charging icon illuminates to signal that the EV is in the process of charging. When charging is complete, users simply wrap the cord around the charging station, keeping it organized and out of the way. It is also easily mounted on any wall and can either be hardwired for permanent installation or simply plugged, allowing consumers to decide how they want to integrate the technology into their homes. The WattStation can also be completely shut off when not in use, ensuring zero energy consumption between uses. The GE WattStation wall mount was designed in detail, including consideration of materials and environment requirements. The unit comes with a sturdy mounting plate with heavy-duty screws and a key lock keep the WattStation securely in place and prevent unwanted removal from the wall. Additionally, with a NEMA 3R rating, the wall mount is rugged enough to be placed outdoors; it can withstand rain and sleet, and even a coat of ice. Adding to the convenience of the WattStation wall mount is GE's Smart Grid technology, which enables the station to charge an electric vehicle in 4-8 hours, compared to the typical 12-18. The unit has a power button that can completely shut it off, ensuring that there is zero energy consumed between uses. The material considerations ensure that the unit can be installed indoors or outdoors, easily shrugging off rain, sleet and even ice. Design, technology and innovation converge in the GE Wattstation wall mount to make a product that is equally beautiful, smart and environmentally responsible, and that has the power to revolutionize the automobile industry.