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"Fast" electric vehicle (EV) charging stations from AeroVironment now
open along I-5 in Southern Oregon, enabling convenient long-distance
electric vehicle travel
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AeroVironment will provide free charging to EV owners for a limited
time
SALEM, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Cruising the open road is now a little closer to reality for electric
vehicle owners in the Pacific Northwest.
Today, the Oregon
Department of Transportation (ODOT), along with charging station
partner AeroVironment
(NASDAQ: AVAV) and the Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE), opened
the first phase of the West Coast Electric Highway, which is anticipated
to eventually stretch along Interstate 5 from the Canadian to Mexican
borders. The charging station hubs introduced today will provide
electric vehicle (EV) owners access to a network of electric "refueling"
stations along a major transportation artery in southern Oregon.
"As the first state in the nation to establish an EV charging
infrastructure along a major interstate, Oregon is leading the EV
pathway and supporting adoption of the next phase in the evolution of
transportation," said Pat Egan, chair of the Oregon Transportation
Commission and vice president of customer and community affairs for
Pacific Power. "Once Oregon's segment of the West Coast Electric Highway
is completed, EV drivers will be able to travel from Ashland to Portland
at a fraction of the cost of filling a gas tank and with no direct
emissions."
The West Coast Electric Highway will eventually allow EV drivers to
travel from San Diego to Vancouver, B.C. without relying on carbon-based
fuel. "Fast" charging stations, included at each of the newly
operational locations, can provide a full charge for an EV in less than
30 minutes; soon, these stations will dot interchanges up and down I-5.
"Plug-in vehicles are increasing in popularity, with many new models
coming to market in 2012," said Art James, senior project executive with
the Oregon Department of Transportation. "We wanted to develop
state-of-the-art charging infrastructure to support them, and
AeroVironment has helped us provide Oregon EV owners the ability to
travel from community to community."
Spaced at roughly 25-mile intervals along the southern Oregon I-5, the
AeroVironment charging stations are available at convenient locations in
Cottage Grove, Rice Hill, Roseburg, Canyonville, Wolf Creek, Grants
Pass, Central Point, and Ashland. Each location has two charging
stations including one DC "fast" charger. Plans call for more than 40
additional charging stations from AeroVironment to be operational in
Oregon and Washington by the end of the year.
"With the price of gas increasing, Oregon wants to provide more
transportation alternatives," said Oregon Department of Energy Director
Bob Repine. "It's important that Oregonians have clean transportation
options."
ODOE awarded ODOT $915,000 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
(stimulus) funding through ODOE's State Energy Program to install the
network of EV charging stations.
Electric vehicle drivers will be able to activate access to the charging
stations by signing up for AV's Charging Network at evsolutions.com/avnetwork
or by calling toll-free at 888-833-2148. Once enrolled, EV drivers will
receive an AV Network key fob that will allow access to all
AeroVironment chargers along the West Coast Electric Highway.
AeroVironment is also providing free charging for a limited time, giving
EV drivers freedom and convenience on the open road.
"Oregon has firmly established itself as a leader in the clean
transportation movement," said Wahid Nawabi, AeroVironment senior vice
president and general manager of its Efficient Energy Systems business
segment. "Together, AeroVironment, the Oregon Department of
Transportation and the Oregon Department of Energy are delivering on the
promise of transportation that promotes energy independence and frees
drivers from fluctuating gas prices."
About Oregon Department of Energy
The Oregon
Department of Energy provides tax credits, loans, technical
assistance and energy information for homes, businesses, manufacturing,
farms, ranches, schools and governments.
About Oregon Department of Transportation
The Oregon Department of Transportation values safety, customer service,
efficiency, accountability, problem-solving, diversity and
sustainability. Learn more at www.oregon.gov/ODOT.
About AeroVironment, Inc.
AeroVironment is a technology solutions provider that designs, develops,
produces, operates 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.
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.
Additional AeroVironment News: http://avinc.com/resources/news/
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AeroVironment, Inc.
Steven Gitlin
+1 (626) 357-9983
pr@avinc.com
or
For
AeroVironment, Inc.
John Soriano/Geoff Mordock
+1 (310)
482-4280
john.soriano@fleishman.com
geoff.mordock@fleishman.com
or
ODOT
Public Affairs
Shelley M. Snow
+1 (503) 881-5362
Shelley.m.snow@odot.state.or.us
Source: AeroVironment, Inc.
News Provided by Acquire Media
