Release Details

Nestle North America Implements AeroVironment's PosiCharge(TM) Fast Charge Systems in Distribution and Manufacturing Facilities

CHICAGO, At ProMat--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 12, 2009--AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ:AVAV) today announced that it has installed more than 200 of its PosiCharge^™ fast charge systems at Nestle facilities throughout North America. These fast charge systems support electric material handling fleets in more than 14 Nestle facilities.

"We are especially excited about the current installation in our state-of-the-art Anderson, Indiana beverage plant, which features a sterile manufacturing environment, onsite computerized warehousing, and now the latest in fast charge technology," said George Sheats, Manager, Operations and Logistics Procurement of Nestle Business Services, for Nestle North America. "We are eager to install additional PosiCharge ^™ systems in Anderson, as well as in our Canadian distribution hub in Brampton, Ontario. PosiCharge^™ systems are a clean technology solution that will play a growing role in improving productivity, efficiency, and safety across our organization."

Nestle has implemented PosiCharge^™ fast charge systems in distribution centers and manufacturing facilities spanning a variety of products, including ice cream, pet care, frozen food, and beverages. By expanding its base of PosiCharge^™ fast charge systems into additional facilities, Nestle aims to increase productivity and reduce operating costs through the elimination of battery changing.

"Food and beverage customers have relied on PosiCharge^™ fast charge systems to support their cold storage facilities, 24/7 operations, and internal combustion to electric vehicle conversions for several years. Our successful experience in these demanding environments provides us with the ability to satisfy a broad range of requirements unique to the food and beverage industry," said Mike Bissonette, senior vice president and general manager, AV Efficient Energy Systems. "We are pleased that Nestle North America, a part of the world's largest food and beverage company, has selected PosiCharge^™ fast charge systems to power their material handling operation into the future, and we look forward to contributing to their continued success."

About PosiCharge^™

PosiCharge^™ fast charge systems allow industrial and heavy-duty electric vehicle operators to eliminate battery swapping, thereby recovering run time, enhancing productivity, optimizing assets, and improving worker safety. PosiCharge^™ systems fast charge battery packs while they remain in the vehicles during scheduled breaks. The result is instant productivity improvement, a cleaner and safer work environment, and a streamlined workflow that no longer stops for battery changing. With proprietary technology that safeguards batteries by customizing each charge, PosiCharge^™ systems can actually extend a battery's useful life compared to traditional charging methods, further optimizing operations. PosiCharge^™ has been supporting high-velocity Fortune and Global 500 facilities for more than six years. For more information about PosiCharge^™, please visit www.posicharge.com.

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 governmental entities use AV's clean transportation solutions such as electric vehicle test systems and electric vehicle fast charge systems, as well as its clean energy solutions such as Architectural Wind^™. 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; 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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CONTACT: AeroVironment, Inc.
Steven Gitlin
+1 (626) 357-9983
pr@avinc.com
or
Mark Boyer
For AeroVironment, Inc.
+1 (310) 229-5956
mark@boyersyn.com

Source: AeroVironment, Inc.