22 fast-chargers will be sited throughout northwest Oregon
SALEM, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has selected AeroVironment
(NASDAQ: AVAV) to supply, install, operate and maintain twenty-two (22) electric
vehicle (EV) fast-charging stations along major transportation
corridors and travel destinations in northwest Oregon. Site review and
selection is commencing and construction is scheduled to be complete by
December 2012. Funding for the project came from a $2 million U.S.
Department of Transportation TIGER II (Transportation Investment
Generating Economic Recovery) grant.
AeroVironment's UL listed DC fast charger able to charge an EV in minutes (Photo: Business Wire)
"This project will help remove a major barrier to rapid adoption of
electric vehicles by providing a network of fast charging stations
around northwest Oregon," said Phillip Ditzler, Federal Highway
Administration, Oregon Division Administrator. "Oregon will serve as a
model for the rest of the country in its innovative approach to
electrifying transportation."
AeroVironment will install the fast charging stations at existing,
convenient commercial host locations in 22 targeted communities
identified by ODOT, allowing EV drivers to recharge in as little as 15
to 20 minutes. This project expands the "Green Highway" initiative, a
multi-state effort to provide EV charging infrastructure up and down the
West Coast.
"Electric vehicles are a huge part of Oregon's future," said Governor
John Kitzhaber. "They will ensure that we can kick the fossil-fuel habit
that hamstrings our economy and national security, and deploying this
infrastructure shows that we are, and will continue to be, a leader."
AeroVironment's fast charging stations deliver a high-powered charge
using DC charging technology to refuel cars quickly, similar to the way
cars refuel at today's gasoline stations.
"Oregon is demonstrating tremendous leadership in advancing the ‘Green
Highway,'" said Mike Bissonette, senior vice president of Efficient
Energy Systems for AeroVironment. "Electrifying the main transportation
corridors in Oregon is not just a vision about a cleaner future, it's
about American jobs and building the economy today. We're working with
Oregon to turn that vision into reality."
In addition to 480-volt fast charging stations, AeroVironment went
beyond the requirements of the TIGER II grant and agreed to also provide
240-volt Level II charging stations at each of the 22 locations at no
additional cost to the state. More than 2,500 AeroVironment Level II
charging stations have been installed in 25 U.S. states since late 2010.
While AeroVironment expands its public EV charging network in Oregon,
the company will simultaneously be installing fast charging equipment in
Washington State through a similar project managed by the Washington
State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). When completed, the Pacific
Northwest will have the most robust "Green Highway" corridor in the
nation.
About AeroVironment, Inc.
AeroVironment is a technology solutions provider that designs, develops,
produces and supports an advanced portfolio of electric transportation
solutions and electric-powered Unmanned
Aircraft Systems (UAS). AeroVironment's comprehensive EV
charging solutions include EV home charging, public charging, fast
charging, data collection, grid-integrated communications and complete
installation, training and support services for consumers, automakers,
utilities, government agencies and businesses. AeroVironment's industrial
electric vehicle charging systems support thousands of electric
materials handling vehicles in mission-critical supply chains for
Fortune 500 enterprises. AeroVironment's power
cycling and test systems provide EV developers and EV battery
manufacturers with market-leading simulation and cycling capabilities.
Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services
use the company's electric-powered, hand-launched
unmanned aircraft systems to provide situational awareness to
tactical operating units through real-time, airborne reconnaissance,
surveillance and communication. More information is available at www.avinc.com
and www.evsolutions.com.
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For updated information on highway work and current travel
information throughout Oregon, visit www.tripcheck.com
or call the toll-free Oregon road report at 511 or (800) 977-6368.
Visit the ODOT News Media Center at www.oregon.gov/ODOT/COMM/
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ODOT Innovative Partnerships
Art James, 503-986-3858
or
ODOT
Innovative Partnerships
Ashley Horvat, 503-986-0278
or
AeroVironment,
Inc.
Steve Gitlin, 626-357-9983
or
For AeroVironment, Inc.
Debbie
Rapoport, 310-482-4276
Source: AeroVironment, Inc.
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