Release Details

MONROVIA, Calif., Nov 30, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ: AVAV) today announced that automotive lithium-ion battery maker EnerDel, a subsidiary of Ener1, Inc. (NASDAQ: HEV), will be using a portion of its recent federal stimulus grant to purchase eight AV advanced electric vehicle power cycling and test systems.

The addition of AV's 170 kilowatt ABC-170CE cyclers and its 250 kilowatt AV-900 heavy-duty cyclers will expand the advanced battery testing capabilities at EnerDel's Indiana facility. Both test systems are programmed to simulate real world driving conditions by repeatedly charging and discharging EnerDel's hybrid and electric vehicle batteries to replicate actual operating conditions. The ABC-170CE is designed to facilitate high voltage and high current battery and fuel cell charge and discharge testing with a full 170 kilowatt sinking power. The AV-900 is capable of up to 250 kilowatt charge and discharge testing and is used to test larger applications, such as plug-in and full battery electric buses, trucks and military equipment. The addition of the ABC-170CE and AV-900 systems enables complete advanced power cycling of EnerDel's cutting edge hybrid and electric vehicle batteries.

"The AV units provide additional life-cycling systems for all of our major projects," EnerDel President Rick Stanley said. "The cyclers enhance our performance testing abilities, allowing us to better meet our customers' rigorous standards."

In August EnerDel was awarded a $118.5 million grant to expand its domestic manufacturing capacity under the Advanced Battery Manufacturing Initiative (ABMI), part of the federal stimulus package enacted last February.

Michael Bissonette, AV senior vice president and general manager of its Efficient Energy Systems segment, said, "AV's power cycling and test systems help premier battery manufacturers like EnerDel contribute to the development of the next generation of clean vehicle powertrains through their reliability, adaptability, ease of use and longevity."

Bissonette said the AV-900 is one of the company's heavy-duty test systems and has been used to develop fuel cell buses and hybrid locomotives with its high power capability. Recently, the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) took delivery of the AV-800, another high-powered, heavy-duty, near-megawatt scale electric vehicle test system to conduct critical testing needed for the advancement of ground system electric transportation technologies to support and protect today's military forces.

Since the 1990s, AV has supplied EV and electric system test equipment to EV, fuel cell, gen set, and battery developers and manufacturers across the globe. AV's test systems have been used to develop, test and integrate fuel cell and hybrid energy systems and to support the development of systems such as large hybrid electric vehicles, high power energy storage systems, power generation equipment, powertrains, and electrical components.

AV customers include the world's leading automotive, battery, and fuel cell companies, the Department of Defense, universities, utilities, government agencies and laboratories.

About AeroVironment, Inc. (AV)

Building on a history of technological innovation, AV designs, develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and efficient electric energy systems. Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services use the company's hand-launched UAS to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real-time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition. Commercial and government entities use AV's clean transportation solutions such as power cycling and test systems and electric vehicle fast charge systems. More information about AV is available at www.avinc.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are made on the basis of current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors outside of our control, that may cause our business, strategy or actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, our ability to perform under existing contracts and obtain additional contracts; changes in the regulatory environment; the activities of competitors; failure of the markets in which we operate to grow; failure to expand into new markets; failure to develop new products or integrate new technology with current products; and general economic and business conditions in the United States and elsewhere in the world. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see the reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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SOURCE: AeroVironment, Inc.

AeroVironment, Inc.
Steven Gitlin
+1 (626) 357-9983
pr@avinc.com
or
Mark Boyer For AeroVironment, Inc.
+1 (310) 229-5956
mark@boyersyn.com
or
Rachel Carroll
ENER1, Inc.
+1 ( 212) 920-3500
rcarroll@ener1.com