The first charging station "networks" are being developed by cities and utilities that want to proudly wear the green badge. During the ramp up to when vehicles go on sale, these groups will largely determine where vehicles and recharging is available.

Actually, the term "charging station network" is a bit of a misnomer, unless you consider the competing gas stations that dot major intersections across the country as a "network." They will more realistically be islands unto themselves until smart grid technology begins to monitor and share information about vehicle charging. Also, some will be run by utilities, some by government, some by retailers, so the customer service experience and billing systems are likely to be unique.

Madison Gas and Electric is the most recent utility to announce the installation of charging stations, purchasing six Coulomb Technologies units. Utilities are kicking the tires (literally) on how EVs will connect to the grid, and as detailed in my new report for Pike Research "Electric Vehicles on the Grid," they and government agencies will lead the way as early adopters in non-residential charging station installations.

A few dozen utilities today have EV charging demonstration stations for their own vehicle or vehicles, and the next step will be to develop a limited number of vehicles that will be available to the public.

Cities that install the most charging stations and provide incentives will likely have the largest inventory of the new vehicles available to them. The big OEMS are choosing their infrastructure partners and locations carefully, and will allocate vehicles to regional dealerships party based on local support.

For example, the San Francisco Bay Area, including San Francisco, San Jose and the suburb of Walnut Creek have all begun to install charging stations, so auto makers how have been monitoring this will likely give first dibs on many of first the PHEVs and EVs shipped to Northern California.

Coulomb Technologies is working through dealers, and has resellers in all 50 states, plus extensive reach in Europe (Germany, Holland, Denmark, Spain, France) through a relationship with 365 Energy, according to CEO Richard Lowenthal. Lowenthal expects government to be 50 percent of his business this year, thanks mostly to stimulus funds. To meet the incoming orders, Coulomb has ordered $19 million in equipment CTS Corporation. He also told me that the company will expand from stand-alone charging stations to residential equipment.

John Gartner is the Editor in Chief of Matter Network and an Industry Analyst for Pike Research