The Elektrobay. Click to enlarge.

The first project for the two companies will begin next month, with the installation of an Elektrobay at the Brussels headquarters of LeasePlan, the world’s largest vehicle management and leasing provider. Installations at other LeasePlan locations will follow in 2010, supporting the company’s commitment to increasing the availability of low- and zero-emissions vehicles within its European fleets.

Elektromotive and The PluginCompany are working together to educate major businesses and legislators in Belgium and Luxembourg about the benefits of zero-emissions motoring and the need for compatible recharging infrastructures. The two companies will detail the steps that can be taken to quickly implement well-proven Elektrobay networks, in readiness for the arrival of new EVs and plug-in hybrids scheduled for launch over the next three years.

The Elektrobay was first introduced in Westminster, London, in 2006, and by December 2009 there will be more than 120 Elektrobays located across the capital. A further 90 fully-operational Elektrobay charging stations have been installed in cities and shopping centres around the UK. Elektromotive has exported Elektrobays to Sweden, Holland, Germany, Ireland, Iceland and Saudi Arabia.

The Elektrobay has a power output of 240 volts AC and 13 amps in the UK, or 230 volts AC and 16 amps in Europe.