Electric Cars to Connect with Mobile Devices

Electric car manufacturers think mobile phones may be the key to calming drivers' worries about battery charging. Car companies Ford and Nissan, makers of the plug-in Ford Focus and Nissan Leaf, are teaming with AT&T to connect owners to their electric cars.

The two companies will use AT&T's wireless network and applications for mobile phones to enable electric car owners to keep track of the charge left in their cars' batteries, as well as to locate nearby electric car charging stations.

"With a wireless connection, we're putting battery charge and vehicle range information, along with an interactive, data-driven trip planning app, directly at the fingertips of our customers," says Ed Pleet, product and business manager for Ford Connected Services. "This technology will keep drivers connected to vital information, enhancing their electric car ownership experience."

Beyond charging, the Ford mobile app will allow the car owner to do a range of cool things, like remotely turning the car on, locking and unlocking the doors or adjusting the climate controls.

"Connecting consumers directly to their electric vehicles in this new and innovative way is going to drive innovative and exciting levels of interaction," Glenn Lurie, AT&T president of emerging devices, resale and partnerships, says of the Ford and Nissan relationships.

With the plug-in Chevy Volt, General Motors is using its existing OnStar system to connect owners with their electric car. The OnStar app available on most smartphones can also monitor battery charging levels, heat and air conditioning controls, as well as door locks.

GM has also unveiled a wireless system that operates inside the 2012 Chevy Volt. Passengers will be able to stream music from their Android or Blackberry smartphone using Pandora, and wirelessly charge their mobile device on a built-in mat charger.

Volkswagen recently introduced a concept version of its iconic VW microbus, a plug-in electric vehicle named Bulli. One of the most talked-about features of the new microbus is the iPad control panel. The vehicle has a docking station on the dashboard where instrument gauges would normally be located. Drivers would store information about the car's controls on their iPad, including settings for temperature or the radio. Whenever the owner got in the car they would just plug the computer tablet into the dashboard docking station. It would instantly sync up and become the car's control panel display system.

The iPad in the VW microbus would be mounted on a swinging arm, so front seat passengers could also interact with the music library, the climate controls, and search for maps and directions.