Patent attributes
A public or private electric charging station or device for an electric vehicle. A user can approach an outlet station in an electric car, plug the car into the station similar to using a gasoline pump, present a credit card to the system, and be provided with either standard line voltage of sufficient wattage to charge the battery of an electric or hybrid vehicle. After the vehicle is charged, the credit card debited for the correct amount for the power dispensed, or other arrangements to pay can be accommodated such as debiting a prepaid account. Optionally, the user can also inject (100) reverse-flow power back into the grid for credit and receive credit for the power injected. Several users can share the same station, and can identify themselves by key access, card swipe, biometrically, or by a card containing an RFID chip that contains their identity.