MIAMI BEACH, Fla., Oct. 31, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Car Charging Group, Inc. (OTCQB: CCGI) ("CarCharging"), a nationwide provider of convenient electric vehicle (EV) charging services, announced the filing of a utility patent application (#14016634) for an EV charging station with a toggle unit.  CarCharging previously filed a provisional patent application for this innovative charging station.

Currently, with public charging, an EV begins to refuel as soon as its plugged into the EV charging station and the charging session is authorized.  In instances where the EV is plugged in for long periods of time, such as overnight at multifamily or mixed-use properties, other EV drivers are unable to charge their cars.  This can cause frustration for EV drivers, and limit the use and the earnings potential of the charging stations.  Additionally, EV charging stations with two or more plugs, which are able to charge EVs simultaneously, can strain the energy grid.

By utilizing the toggle unit technology, the EV charging station will have the ability to charge multiple EVs successively without the insertion or removal of plugs during the charging process.   This functionality improves the charging process for EV drivers; increases the number of cars that can utilize the EV charging station; reduces the potential strain on the energy grid; and reduces the EV service equipment, network, and energy costs.

CarCharging's groundbreaking EV charging station technology with toggle unit optimizes the efficiency of the EV station through the use of a toggle unit, processor, and multiple plugs.  The toggle unit activates the charging current from the charging station to the first of multiple plugs attached to the charging station.  The processor detects when charging is complete, then deactivates the first plug, and activates the next plug.  This process permits multiple EVs to plug into the station simultaneously and charge each EV as the current becomes available.  This novel design also reduces the internal components of current EV charging stations, thereby reducing equipment and network costs. 

"As EV sales continue to hit records, the need for EV charging continues to grow and CarCharging is committed to improving the charging experience," said Michael D. Farkas, CEO of CarCharging.  "We are confident that our EV station with toggle unit technology will enhance EV charging in various areas, including allowing EV drivers to plug in immediately and not have to come back to plug in their EV, which increases the number of electric cars that can utilize the station, and by reducing the costs associated with the equipment, the network, and the actual charging."

CarCharging's EV charging station technology with toggle unit will also include the ability to delay charging an EV to off-peak times without having to be physically present to initiate the charge, which could reduce the energy costs associated with charging. 

About Car Charging Group, Inc. 
Car Charging Group, Inc. (OTCQB: CCGI) is a pioneer in nationwide public electric vehicle (EV) charging services, enabling EV drivers to easily recharge at locations throughout the United States. Headquartered in Miami Beach, FL with offices in San Francisco, CA; New York, NY; Phoenix, AZ; and Barcelona, Spain; CarCharging's business model is designed to accelerate the adoption of public EV charging.

CarCharging provides a comprehensive turnkey program to commercial and residential property owners for EV charging services. CarCharging owns and operates the EV charging equipment; manages the installation, maintenance, and related services; and shares some of the EV charging revenue with the property owner. Thereby, eliminating most capital costs for the property owners, and providing a potential additional revenue stream.

CarCharging has strategic partnerships across multiple business sectors including multi-family residential and commercial properties, parking garages, shopping malls, retail parking, and municipalities.  CarCharging's partners include, but are not limited to Walgreens, IKEA, WalMart, Simon Property Group, Equity One, Equity Residential, Forest City, Cinemark USA, Fox Studios, Facebook, PayPal, Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants, Mayo Clinic, San Diego Padres, University of Pennsylvania, Ace Parking, Central/USA Parking, Icon Parking, Rapid Parking, Parking Concepts, CVS, Related Management, Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, City of Phoenix (AZ), City of Philadelphia (PA), and City of Miami Beach (FL).

CarCharging is committed to creating a robust, feature-rich network for EV charging and is hardware agnostic.  CarCharging's owns the Blink network, and owns and operates EV charging equipment manufactured by Blink, Aerovironment, ChargePoint, Efacec, General Electric, Nissan, and SemaConnect. CarCharging's Level II charging stations are compatible with EVs sold in the United States including the Tesla Model S, Nissan LEAF, Chevy Volt, Mitsubishi i-Miev, Toyota Prius Plug-In, Honda Fit EV, and Toyota Rav4 EV, as well as many others scheduled for release over the next few years.

For more information about CarCharging, please visit www.CarCharging.com.

Forward-Looking Safe Harbor Statement:
This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined within Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. By their nature, forward-looking statements and forecasts involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the near future.  Those statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of Car Charging Group, Inc., and members of its management as well as the assumptions on which such statements are based. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed conditions.

SOURCE Car Charging Group, Inc.