More electric vehicle charging stations coming to Tucson

TUCSON, AZ (KOLD) -?Charging up those electric vehicles is getting even more convenient.

Electric-vehicle charging stations are being installed in the parking lots at eight Pima County libraries this summer. The project is among the county's efforts to reduce the use of fossil fuels, provide better air quality and encourage clean technology.

The 16 stations - two to a library – are located in high-traffic areas, mostly in central Tucson and on the city's East Side. They'll be ready for use by electric car operators in early September.

Here is the list of locations getting electric charging stations:

Joel D. Valdez Main Library, 101 N. Stone Ave.Eckstrom-Columbus Branch Library, 4350 E. 22nd St.Himmel Park Branch Library, 1035 N. Treat Ave.Kirk-Bear Canyon Branch Library, 8959 E. Tanque Verde RoadMartha Cooper Branch Library, 1377 N. Catalina AvenueNanini Branch Library, 7300 N. Shannon RoadWoods Memorial Branch Library, 3455 N. First Ave.Murphy-Wilmot Branch Library, 530 N. Wilmot Road

The sites for the charging stations were chosen as part of ECOtality's Micro-Climate planning process, in collaboration with Pima County, Pima Association of Governments and the Tucson EV Project Advisory Team. ECOtality, Inc. is the San Francisco-based for-profit manager of EV Project.

Copyright 2011 KOLD.?All rights reserved.

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Ford, SunPower want you to charge that electric vehicle with solar

Summary: The ‘Drive Green for Life’ program makes it simpler for Ford electric vehicle, hybrid owners to invest in solar panels to run their home charging station.

If it galls you to think that your electric vehicle will be charged with coal-generated electricity, Ford and solar technology company SunPower have a proposition for you. The two companies are teaming up on a residential electric vehicle charging infrastructure that homeowners can use to charge up their Focus Electric vehicle through solar means.

The program that the two companies have cooked up is called “Drive Green for Life.” It combines a 2.5-kilowatt rooftop solar system using SunPower panels, a combination that will produce about 3,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. Or, to put it another way, enough power to drive an electric vehicle for about 1,000 miles per month.

The system is compatible with the charging technologies being used by the Focus Electric vehicle series, as well as the C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid line that Ford expects to roll out in 2012.

The companies say that after federal tax credits, a homeowner could expect to pay about $10,000 for a typical installation; SunPower has developed a series of financing options to help make the idea a bit easier to swallow from a cost standpoint. You can buy the 240-volt charger for the Focus Electric at Best Buy. There is also a 25-year warranty on the panels. The program will cover all 19 markets in the United States where the Focus Electric is being introduced.

Heather Clancy is an award-winning business journalist with a passion for green technology and corporate sustainability issues.

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Toyota Selects Leviton as an Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Provider

FYI: Toyota Buyer's Guide

TORRANCE, CA:Aug. 10, 2011: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (TMS) today announced that Leviton has been selected as an approved Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) provider for Toyota customers and dealers.

"Leviton provides electric vehicle charging products and a high level of customer service that will benefit both Toyota customers and dealers when the Prius Plug-in Hybrid vehicles and next generation RAV4 EV come to market in 2012," said Rick LoFaso, TMS corporate manager, marketing for passenger cars.

Toyota is the only manufacturer bringing two battery electric vehicles to the U.S. in 2012 - the RAV4 EV and the Scion iQ EV.? While the RAV4 EV will be available to the public, the Scion iQ EV will be utilized for demonstration program applications only.?Toyota also will bring to market in 2012 the Prius Plug-in Hybrid vehicle, which combines an extended all-electric range for shorter commutes with a conventional hybrid synergy drive for longer trips. ??

Leviton's support includes program management of a certified installation team and an extensive customer service center. Leviton offers a variety of electrical vehicle supply equipment products for commercial and residential use that will offer Toyota dealers and customers an assortment of charging solutions to fit their needs.

Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. is the marketing, sales, distribution and customer service arm of Toyota, Lexus and Scion. ?Established in 1957, TMS markets products and services through a network of nearly 1,500 Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealers which sold more than 1.76 million vehicles in 2010. ?Toyota directly employs nearly 30,000 people in the U.S. and its investment here is currently valued at more than $18 billion.

Leviton

Leviton Manufacturing Company is the largest privately held global provider of electrical wiring devices, data center connectivity solutions and lighting energy management systems. Founded at the turn of the 20th century in America, Leviton has grown to become one of the preeminent leaders in the electrical industry. Today Leviton's product portfolio consists of more than 25,000 devices and systems used in homes, businesses and industry. Proven to be a smart choice, nine out of 10 homes throughout North America have Leviton products installed in them. Builders, electrical contractors and other industry professionals rank Leviton products No. 1 in brand preference.p>

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Boulder Installing Public Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Boulder is installing public electric vehicle charging stations to help cut down on pollution. The two stations are being installed in the South Boulder Recreation Center parking lot. On Monday, the stations will be switched on and made available for drivers of plug-in cars to rent for $1 per hour. According to the Boulder Daily Camera, the city expects to have 40 charging stations installed across town by next year. Some of the planned station locations include the Boulder Public Library, the Pearl Street Mall, the Boulder County Courthouse, the Boulder Municipal Building and city-owned parking garages downtown. Half of the stations will service city-owned vehicles, while the other half will be available to the public to charge personal vehicles. Read more in the Boulder Daily Camera. The following are comments from our users. Opinions expressed are neither created nor endorsed by TheDenverChannel.com. By posting a comment you agree to accept our Terms of Use. Comments are moderated by the community. To report an offensive or otherwise inappropriate comment, click the "Flag" link that appears beneath that comment. Comments that are flagged by a set number of users will be automatically removed.

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The Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle To Debut At The 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show

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Car charging plan unveiled

Driving into the parking lot at Devonshire Mall to charge up your electric car could soon become a reality under an Ontario government plan to spend $80 million to help build electric vehicle charging stations across the province.

"We want to make it convenient and realistic and possible for families to consider an electric car as a real and viable option," said Premier Dalton McGuinty as he outlined details of the plan in Markham on Tuesday. The province will provide seed money to proposals to install and test electric vehicle charging stations from the public and private sector.

According to McGuinty, an electric vehicle is a cost-effective alternative to gas-powered cars. "Investing in charging stations to help Ontarians choose electric and save money; $70 for gas fill-up; $7 for electricity," the premier tweeted following the announcement.

Ontario's plan to spur the prevalence of electric car charging stations would be a boost to the electric vehicle industry as well as the Windsor area's fledgling green sector, industry spokesmen said.

"We would love to get involved in providing solar powered car ports with charging stations in every main parking area," said Klaus Dohring, president of Green Sun Rising Inc. "In a few years, we'll have thousands of electric vehicles," said Dohring, whose Kildare Road company manufactures solar powered car ports housing charging stations. "When you consider how many parking lots we have, it will be much easier to charge the vehicle where the vehicle is parked during the day."

The latest incentive offered by the province would have a "significant impact" on an industry which currently employees about 1,200 in the region, added Dohring.

"Ten years ago in Germany, there was hardly any solar industry," he said. "Today, the solar industry in Germany employs about 200,000 people."

Renewable energy as an industry can become larger than the global automotive industry, he added. "It is clear that our transportation sector is moving toward electrification. It is smart to embrace clean transportation and develop the infrastructure for that."

Ontario already offers consumers incentives ranging from $5,000 to $8,000 to purchase electric cars.

Virtually every major automaker is in the process of launching plug-in electric or hybrid vehicles. Chrysler Group, for example, plans to introduce an electric Fiat 500 late next year.

"Electrification is just one technology that will help Chrysler Group contribute to meeting the new fuel economy standards as well as lower our carbon footprint," said LouAnn Gosselin, spokeswoman for Chrysler Canada. "Market acceptance of electric vehicles and bringing the cost of electrification to an acceptable level to the consumer will be key."

Lawrence Musyj, director of conservation and energy management at Enwin Utilities, said the announcement could prompt municipalities as well as retailers and other private employers to begin installing charging stations on their properties.

"This announcement is great as far as indicating to the public that electric vehicles are coming and that it's time to start considering getting infrastructure," said Musyj. He said it won't be long before electric vehicles, such as General Motors' Chevy Volt, will cross the border.

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Audi confirms new electric vehicle concept

Luxury German auto brand Audi has released the first images of a new electric concept car.

Dubbed the "Urban Concept," the futuristic concept is seen in sketches released August 10, and the model is expected to be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September as part of a wider study on city mobility.

A lightweight model, the cockpit has been made of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer, which Audi says was the product of a new design process based on the principles of minimizing weight and increasing efficiency.

The design is intended to combine elements of a racing car, a roadster, a fun car and an urban car, says Audi, with a sleek body and large 21-inch free-standing wheels.

Entry to the vehicle is through the tailgate, although the roof can slide back, turning the car into a cabriolet so that the two low-set passengers can get a real feel for their surroundings.

It will be propelled by two proprietary e-tron electric motors, which Audi claims will offer powerful acceleration, and powered by a lithium-ion battery.

The model is expected to be on show alongside other electric concepts such as BMW's i3 and i8, at the Frankfurt Motor Show, which runs September 13-25 in Frankfurt, Germany.

http://www.iaa.de/en/visitors/

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Electric Avenue coming to PSU

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Piscataway business lands electric vehicle charging station

PISCATAWAY — Leviton, a leading global manufacturer of electrical devices, unveiled one of the first commercial electric vehicle charging stations in Central Jersey at the IEEE Operations Center in Piscataway during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday.

The Leviton Evr-GreenLevel 2 Commercial Charging Station, donated by Graybar, provides IEEE employees who own electric vehicles a convenient location to recharge for free while at work. IEEE is the world?s largest technical professional association advancing technology for humanity, with 400,000 members worldwide.

?Leviton?s relationship with IEEE is a major step in the right direction to help promote the further adoption and expansion of electric vehicle usage,? said Mike Mattei, vice president and general manager for Leviton?s Commercial and Industrial Division. ?At Leviton, we aim to create commercial electric power delivery solutions that are easy to use, and the Evr-Green electric vehicle charging products continue that tradition.?

Designed to meet the needs of customers and employees at organizations such as IEEE, Leviton?s Evr-Green Commercial Charging Stations are easy to use and highly reliable. Power is delivered through a single output that provides 7.2kW Level 2 charging, which is delivered via a standard SAE J1772 connector and 18-foot cable.

Running through the ChargePoint network, the largest network of electric vehicle charging stations in the world, the stations provide 24/7 driver support through a toll-free number, real-time reporting of station activity, station monitoring and access restriction to ensure only IEEE employees utilize the equipment.

To access the station, employees use a ChargePass Card or call ChargePoint?s toll-free customer service number located on the charging station?s screen. Using the ChargePass Card to establish access ensures IEEE?s charging station is only available for authorized employees.

IEEE, the world?s largest technical professional association, is dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. Through its highly cited publications, conferences, technology standards, and professional and educational activities, IEEE is the trusted voice on a wide variety of areas, ranging from aerospace systems, computers and telecommunications to biomedical engineering, electric power and consumer electronics. Learn more at www.ieee.org.

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LEADING THE CHARGE

IPSWICH — EBSCO Publishing installed an electric-vehicle charging station this week, the first of its kind on the North Shore, and the town may not be far behind.

Plans are in motion to put a public charging station on a busy downtown street.

EBSCO's charging station is mounted to the side of a building that abuts a company parking lot and can accommodate two cars at a time. It can be used by EBSCO employees and company guests, free of charge, but not the general public.

Ipswich Town Manger Bob Markel is working with Voltrek, the Andover-based company that installed EBSCO's charging station, to mount a public charging station on a utility pole on Market Street in the heart of downtown Ipswich.

Voltrek and the town would share installation costs, said Markel. The town's electric light department would provide power — and receive the revenue — from the charging station.

Salem is also not far behind.

The Witch City is one of 25 Massachusetts cities and towns to receive a state grant to install electric vehicle charging stations. Two stations, one in the Museum Place Mall Garage and the other at Salem Harbor Garage, could be in use as early as the fall.

Ipswich resident Don Bowen stopped by EBSCO yesterday to demonstrate the charging station with an electric car he's owned for three months.

"You have all the creature comforts of an expensive mid-size car," Bowen said of his Chevy Volt. "You're not sacrificing anything."

EBSCO's charging station delivers 220 volts of electricity — double the amount of an normal electrical outlet. Although each electric car and battery is different, it translates to roughly 20 miles of distance per hour of charge.

While few EBSCO employees own electric vehicles now, the new charging station might encourage those who are thinking of buying one, said Tom Wheeler, chief financial officer.

"When other people see (electric) cars here charging up, especially with gas close to $4 per gallon," employees might be inspired to go electric, he said.

All EBSCO company vehicles are gasoline/electric hybrids, and company president Tim Collins is in the process of buying an electric vehicle.

EBSCO hopes to soon incorporate electric vehicles into its fleet, Wheeler said.

The vehicle charging station is the latest in a laundry list of environmental initiatives the company has championed, from an array of rooftop solar panels to reimbursing employees for commuting on public transportation.

"They are a candidate for the greenest company on the North Shore," Markel said of EBSCO.

In the long run, Markel said he would consider purchasing electric vehicles for the town and installing a charging station at Town Hall.

Electric vehicles are "ideal" for municipal use, said Markel, because they drive a small number of in-town miles each day.

"When electric cars become more competitive (affordable), that's when we're going to move (on the idea)," he said.

According to the Chevrolet website, the Volt retails for $40,280, but purchasers can take advantage of tax credits. Toyota will soon release a plug-in model of its popular Prius hybrid, which can use charging stations.

EBSCO, which provides databases and e-books to libraries and other institutions, employs almost 900 people in downtown Ipswich. Despite a sluggish economy, EBSCO has been doing well, said Wheeler, and is able and ready to provide employee amenities such as the new vehicle charging station.

The company has 50 open positions and just purchased a building on Route 1 in Topsfield, which it hopes to have up and running this winter.

"We're constantly growing," said Wheeler. "Business is great. We're booming. We can't hire fast enough."

Staff writer Bethany Bray can be reached at bbray@salemnews.com and on Twitter @SalemNewsBB.

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Some customers face long wait for Ford Focus Electric

Ford has delayed the full initial rollout of its Focus Electric vehicle in the US, according to reports.

The new Focus Electric is set to be launched later this year as a rival to the Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt and was originally supposed to hit 19 markets.

However, a spokesperson from Ford spoke up on the MyFocusElectric forum recently to confirm that only customers in New York and California are likely to see the Focus Electric in 2011.

"For the first few months of production, we will be concentrating on California and New York," wrote David Finnegan.

"Our dealers in those areas will be the first to have their retail orders scheduled and receive the Focus Electric. We will be rolling out to the remainder of our initial markets starting in Spring 2012."

That means buyers in Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Orlando, Phoenix, Portland, Raleigh Durham, Richmond, Seattle, Tucson and Washington DC may be in for a long wait.

New marketing material for the US-based automaker appears to confirm it has switched to promoting a spring launch.

Ford appears to be taking a similar approach to Nissan, which made an exceptionally slow start to delivering its Leaf electric vehicle in the US, prompting complaints from some consumers left waiting for their cars.

Howover, it has significantly ramped up production since and -- despite disruption caused by the Japanese earthquake in March -- the Leaf is now comfortably outselling its US-built rival, the Chevrolet Volt.

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A123: Goldman Downgrades

A123: Goldman Downgrades - Forbescatalyst we think will drive the stock – the extent of profitability longer term,” he writes in a research note. “Thursday’s announcement to supply GM provides comfort around A123’s relevance but does not address profit potential. Our DCF- and M&A-based, six-month price target goes to $5 from $9 on a higher discount rate, given limited clarity on the potential range of profitability and ongoing macro uncertainty.”

AONE closed Thursday at $4.60.

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Students aim for 400mph electric land speed goal for Buckeye Bullet 3

 

The Buckeye Bullet team has announced plans to develop an entirely new version of its record-breaking vehicle, capable of speeds in excess of 400 mph

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Work to design a new version of the Buckeye Bullet capable of speeds in excess of 400 mph has begun. The Ohio State University team has revealed that Version 3 is to be an entirely new battery electric vehicle featuring an optimized body and fin shape based on aerodynamic simulations undertaken at the Ohio Supercomputer Center. Other drag-reduction tweaks - such as driver position and the strategic addition of wind deflectors - are currently being considered, ahead of construction and testing during the next academic year.

In 2004, the nickel-metal hydride battery-powered original version of the Buckeye Bullet zoomed its way into the record books at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Wendover, Utah by setting the U.S. electric land speed record at just over 314 mph (over 500 kph). Hydrogen fuel cells were used in Version 2, which went on to set the international land speed record for its class at 304 mph (489 kph). The team wasn't satisfied, and ripped out the fuel cells, replaced them with Li-ion batteries and powered up to 307.7 mph (495 kph) to set a new world record with Version 2.5 last August.

Now the team of engineering students at Ohio State University's (OSU) Center for Automotive Research has set its sights on achieving over 400 mph (643 kph) with Version 3. It's to be an entirely new vehicle from the ground up, and the first step in the design process was to take a close look at vehicle aerodynamics.

The Ohio Supercomputer Center has supported the project from the start by providing computational resources and technical assistance, and the engineering team has been running aerodynamic simulations using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) with predominantly open source software on the Center's flagship IBM 1350 Opteron Cluster.

"The simulations are needed to accurately predict the aerodynamic forces on the vehicle at these speeds and can only be run on large computing clusters," says the project's chief engineer Cary Bork. "Various mesh sizes have been used from 1 million to 50 million cells. Most of the simulations use 25 million cells."

The simulations have resulted in a new lean, streamlined design for Version 3 - where the driver has been moved forward of the front tires to improve volume utilization, reduce overall vehicle length, decrease the vehicle drag and improve the vehicle balance. The students are also looking into adding wind deflectors beneath the vehicle and in front of the tires to try and cut down on the amount of air entering the wheel well, and testing the effectiveness of new air-brake equipment.

Steering towards a goal of achieving speeds over 400 mph "places the team in direct competition with many of the fastest internal combustion cars in the world," said Bork. "What sets the new design apart from the previous Buckeye Bullet vehicles is that at these higher speeds it is possible to produce shock waves under the vehicle. Such shock waves under the vehicle negatively affect the vehicle drag and can produce lift. Lift is undesirable in this application. Minimizing or eliminating these shock waves is critical to ensuring the safety and stability of the vehicle."

OSU's engineering team has once again partnered with Venturi Automobiles and A123 Systems, and will also take advantage of the technical experience of CFD designers TotalSim LLC, for the development of Buckeye Bullet 3. Design work is scheduled to be completed by the end of the (northern) summer, with construction and testing to be undertaken over the next academic year - ahead of a Fall return to the Bonneville Speedway.

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Md. gov to attend electric vehicle charger event

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Regulators closed the 64th bank in the U.S. so far this year on Friday, shutting down First National Bank of Olathe, located in Olathe, Kansas.

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A123 Systems to add jobs in Ann Arbor after winning electric vehicle battery contract from General Motors

General Motors said today that it is contracting with A123 Systems to make electric vehicle battery components and packs.

A spokeswoman for A123 Systems confirmed that the company expects to add employees at its Ann Arbor operation after signing the deal. The company, which has about 35 workers at its operation in a research park just east of South State Road, recently hired its 1,000th employee in Michigan.

GM's Chevrolet Volt is the automaker's only vehicle currently on the market that uses lithium-ion batteries. Now, the automaker plans to contract with A123 Systems for lithium-ion batteries, although it did not reveal which future vehicles would use the batteries.

Courtesy photo

The spokeswoman said in an email that it was too early to know exactly how many jobs would be added. The Ann Arbor operation conducts advanced research and "government solutions."

GM said it had validated A123 Systems' nanophosphate lithium-ion battery technologies and would work with the supplier to develop "calibrations and software controls for the battery system in preparation for production."

GM said it was not prepared to reveal which electric vehicles the batteries would power. The company's only electrically powered car currently on the market is the Chevrolet Volt, which can travel about 40 miles on a single charge of electricity before a gasoline engine kicks in, allowing the car to continue driving seamlessly.

“GM is committed to offering a full line of electrified vehicles — each of which calls for different battery specifications,” said Micky Bly, GM’s executive director of global electrical systems, infotainment and electrification, in a statement. “We work with a variety of battery developers and A123’s advanced nanophosphate lithium ion technology offers ideal performance capabilities for a future electrified vehicle application.”

A123 Systems is headquartered in Massachusetts but most of its operations are based in Michigan, including a massive battery production facility in Livonia.

The GM deal is a big win for A123 Systems, which was facing skepticism from analysts who said the company wasn't securing enough contracts.

It also comes two years after GM passed up A123 to pick Korean supplier LG Chem's Troy-based Compact Power unit to supply battery components for the Volt.

In 2009, A123 won a $249.1 million economic stimulus grant from the U.S. government to advance its technology and expand manufacturing.

A123 Systems' core technology has roots in Ann Arbor. A startup called T/J Technologies, founded in the 1990s by entrepreneur Maria Thompson and her husband, University of Michigan engineering professor Levi Thompson, was sold to A123 in 2006. A123 turned T/J's local operation into its Ann Arbor presence.

Contact AnnArbor.com's Nathan Bomey at (734) 623-2587 or nathanbomey@annarbor.com. You can also follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's newsletters.

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Boulder installs first public electric vehicle charging stations

Boulder is banking on a future in which drivers hit the roads in zero-emission electric vehicles.

On Wednesday, the city began catering to that vision with the installation of the first two public electric vehicle charging stations.

At a total cost of $31,000, the stations were installed at the South Boulder Recreation Center parking lot. On Monday, the stations will be switched on and made available for drivers of plug-in cars to rent for $1 per hour.

The stations will cost the city about 90 cents per hour to operate, but because the city can't legally re-sell electricity, it will instead charge a $1 "service fee" to rent a radio frequency card that operates one of the stations.

"(Recreation center users) can just come up to the service desk there and request a card," said Joe Castro, Boulder's facility and fleet manager.

Castro said the two stations have the ability to charge up to four vehicles at the same time, and include both 240-volt and 110-volt hookups.

By June 2012, Castro said he expects to have 40 charging stations installed throughout Boulder. Some of the planned station locations include the Boulder Public Library, the Pearl Street Mall, the Boulder County Courthouse, the Boulder Municipal Building and city-owned parking garages downtown.

Half of the stations will service city-owned vehicles, while the other half will be available to the public to charge personal vehicles.

Each station costs about $3,500 for the charger and about $12,000 for electrical hookups.

Boulder is paying for the equipment though a $500,000 federal grant that was secured with the help of U.S. Rep. Jared Polis. The Boulder Democrat is scheduled to appear at the South Boulder Recreation Center on Monday to christen the first charging stations.

It's still not clear how widely used the stations will be for the first few years, as the rollout of plug-in electric vehicles continues to be slow.

Nationwide, there are an estimated 3,000 electric vehicles on the roads. But Castro said he thinks the number of plug-ins in Boulder will begin to increase soon.

"The anticipation now is that in 2012, there will be 100 to 300 EV vehicles in the Boulder area," he said.

Boulder has been working with Ford to make its electric vehicles available at area dealerships.

To help entice customers to buy one of the forthcoming Ford Focus Electric vehicles, the automaker announced Wednesday that it would begin partnering with SunPower to offer consumers high-efficiency rooftop solar systems to offset all of the energy used to charge a Focus.

The companies will offer the systems at a cost of less than $10,000, after federal tax credits. Local rebates may bring the cost of the 2.5-kilowatt system even lower.

Mike Tinskey, Ford's manager of sustainability activities, said the program is sure to appeal to customers in Boulder -- which accounts for about 21 percent of all solar systems installed through Xcel Energy's Solar Rewards program.

"This is going to be a great product because EV customers have been asking us for a green solution," he said.

He said the Boulder market should begin to see more Ford electric vehicles available in showrooms by early 2012.

Seth Masia, deputy editor of Solar Today magazine, said he thinks that car dealers will eventually figure out that loans for cars and solar charging systems can be packaged together.

"I think you'll see mechanisms like that emerging," he said.

In addition to Ford's new lineup of electric models, Toyota plans to release the Toyota RAV4 EV in 2012. The RAV4 will run on a lithium-ion battery pack and is expected to run 100 miles on a single charge.

The 2012 Nissan LEAF has a range of 100 miles per charge and can go 90 mph on the freeway.

General Motors, meanwhile, has increased production on its 2012 Chevy Volt.

Contact Camera Staff Writer Heath Urie at 303-473-1328 or urieh@dailycamera.com.

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Ontario Chosen for New Electric Vehicle Production

Press Release Source: Ministry of Economic Development and Trade On Wednesday August 10, 2011, 7:00 am EDT

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Ontario, Canada took another step today toward the plan to become a world-leading clean energy and manufacturing economy. Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada announced that the company plans to start assembling electric versions of its RAV4 sport utility vehicle in Woodstock, Ontario under a partnership with California-based Tesla Motors. The RAV4 EV will be the first electric vehicle built in Canada.

The Province of Ontario, in partnership with the Government of Canada, will support the production of the RAV4 EV through their investment in Toyota's recently announced Project Green Light. The total investment among all partners could reach $545 million, with Ontario and the Government of Canada each providing $70.8 million towards Project Green Light.

QUOTES

"We worked hard to become North America's number one producer of cars. To stay on top, we need to produce the next generation of cars that use clean technology."

–?Dalton McGuinty
Premier of Ontario

"Toyota's decision to produce the RAV4 EV in Woodstock is one more positive result of our investment in green technology. Ontario will benefit by taking a leading role in the production of the next generation of green vehicles."

–?Sandra Pupatello
Minister of Economic Development and Trade

"We're turning a new chapter in our history and into the future. TMMC will lead the way by building the new RAV4 EV. Being involved with leading edge technology is a great opportunity to motivate and develop our people. This is an excellent example of Toyota's determination to collaborate with companies with innovative technology."

–?Ray Tanguay
Chairman of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada

QUICK FACTS

Ontario and the Government of Canada are each providing $70.8 million towards Project Green Light. The total investment from all partners in could reach $545 million. The auto industry supports approximately 400,000 jobs across the Ontario. Ontario builds more cars than any other state or province in North America.

LEARN MORE

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Toyota to build electric SUV in Canada

TORONTO (Reuters) - Toyota Motor Co will build its first electric vehicle produced outside Japan in the Canadian province of Ontario as part of a multimillion-dollar public-private project announced in July.

The automaker will build the vehicle -- an electric version of the RAV4 SUV -- at its plant in Woodstock, Ontario, the Canadian government said in a release on Friday.

Toyota plans to invest as much as C$545 million ($558 million) in the overall project. Known as Operation Green Light, the plan includes upgrades at other Toyota plants in Ontario, the country's industrial heartland.

The Canadian government will chip in C$70.84 million toward C$506 million-worth of Operation Green Light, with Ontario providing another C$70.84 million toward the project's C$545 million total.

The RAV4 venture is a joint project with Tesla Motors Inc. The compact crossover electric vehicles (EV) will be built on the same line as the gasoline-powered RAV4 at the Woodstock plant, about 135 km (84 miles) southwest of Toronto.

"It's a very significant vehicle for Toyota," said Jesse Toprak, an analyst at automotive website Truecar.com.

"This is the first full EV vehicle that is going to be sold in volume and the success of this vehicle is more or less going to set the pace of EV sales for not only Toyota, but also the industry."

A big appeal of the EV RAV4 is that it is going to be the first fully electric SUV, which is a segment that is product-hungry, Toprak said.

Toyota will pay Tesla around $100 million to supply the electric powertrain, which includes the battery, motor, gearbox and power electronics for the RAV4 EV.

The electric powertrains will be built at Tesla's production facility in Palo Alto, California, and then shipped to Woodstock for final assembly in the vehicle.

Canadian governments have a history of supporting automakers operating in the country. Vehicle manufacturers and auto parts makers employ thousands of workers in Canada, mostly in Ontario, its industrial heartland.

"We worked hard to become North America's number one producer of cars," Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty said. "To stay on top, we need to produce the next generation of cars that use clean technology."

Canada's federal and provincial governments joined with the U.S. government in providing billions of dollars in loans to keep the industry afloat as the global economic crisis led to a steep falloff in car sales worldwide.

Toyota said details on U.S. pricing and distribution of the electric RAV4 would be announced later. A decision about sales in Canada has not yet been made.

($1=$0.98 Canadian)

(Reporting by John McCrank; editing by Janet Guttsman and Rob Wilson)

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Leviton Selected by Toyota as a Provider of Electric Vehicle Charging Solutions

MELVILLE, N.Y., Aug. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Leviton, a leading global manufacturer of electrical wiring devices, announced today that it has been named by Toyota as an approved Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) solutions provider. As an approved vendor, Leviton will provide EVSE to both consumers and dealerships for Toyota's Prius Plug-In Hybrid and RAV4 EV models coming to market in 2012.

The custom Toyota electric vehicle charger, built off of Leviton's existing EVSE line of products, gives Toyota customers a safe and reliable solution when charging their Prius Plug-In Hybrid or RAV4 EV.

"Toyota and Leviton are two companies that share a core set of values that focus on safety, customer service and the vision to build a sustainable future by offering a portfolio of green solutions," said Michael Mattei, Vice President and General Manager for Leviton's Commercial and Industrial Business Unit. "Leviton is committed to providing an industry-leading portfolio of EV charging solutions, designed and developed in the United States, for residential consumers, automakers and electrical industry professionals."

"Through our relationship with Leviton, customers will have access to a full service EVSE provider that supplies a high level of customer service along with products that integrate easily into their homes and complement Toyota's plug-in hybrid and electric vehicle offerings," said Rick LoFaso, Toyota Corporate Manager, Marketing for Passenger Cars.

Toyota's electric vehicle charger complies with all industry standards, including the current National Electrical CodeR. Assembled in the United States, they have been specifically developed to meet stringent automotive quality, product development and testing requirements and are compatible with all major automakers' vehicles (SAE J1772TM compliant).

About Leviton

Leviton Manufacturing Company is the largest privately held global provider of electrical wiring devices, data center connectivity solutions and lighting energy management systems. Founded at the turn of the 20th century in America, Leviton has grown to become one of the preeminent leaders in the electrical industry. Today Leviton's product portfolio consists of more than 25,000 devices and systems used in homes, businesses and industry. Proven to be a smart choice, nine out of 10 homes throughout North America have Leviton products installed in them. Builders, electrical contractors and other industry professionals rank Leviton products No. 1 in brand preference. To request more information about Leviton's Evr-Green portfolio, please visit www.leviton.com.

About Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. is the marketing, sales, distribution and customer service arm of Toyota, Lexus and Scion. Established in 1957, TMS markets products and services through a network of nearly 1,500 Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealers which sold more than 1.76 million vehicles in 2010. Toyota directly employs nearly 30,000 people in the U.S. and its investment here is currently valued at more than $18 billion. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyota.com, www.lexus.com, www.scion.com or www.toyotanewsroom.com.

PR Contact:
Eileen McGlone, Commercial and Industrial Marketing Director
631-812-6132
emcglone@leviton.com

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Limited initial release for Ford Focus Electric

 Bill Ford, Executive Chairman of Ford Motors, displays several of the company's electric cars at the 2011 North American International Auto Show

Ford has delayed the full initial rollout of its Focus Electric vehicle in the US, according to reports.

The new Focus Electric is set to be launched later this year as a rival to the Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt and was originally supposed to hit 19 markets.

However, a spokesperson from Ford spoke up on the MyFocusElectric forum recently to confirm that only customers in New York and California are likely to see the Focus Electric in 2011.

"For the first few months of production, we will be concentrating on California and New York," wrote David Finnegan.

"Our dealers in those areas will be the first to have their retail orders scheduled and receive the Focus Electric. We will be rolling out to the remainder of our initial markets starting in Spring 2012."

That means buyers in Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Orlando, Phoenix, Portland, Raleigh Durham, Richmond, Seattle, Tucson and Washington DC may be in for a long wait.

New marketing material for the US-based automaker appears to confirm it has switched to promoting a spring launch.

Ford appears to be taking a similar approach to Nissan, which made an exceptionally slow start to delivering its Leaf electric vehicle in the US, prompting complaints from some consumers left waiting for their cars.

However, it has significantly ramped up production since and -- despite disruption caused by the Japanese earthquake in March -- the Leaf is now comfortably outselling its US-built rival, the Chevrolet Volt.

AFP/Relaxnews

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Hawaii electric vehicle rebate deadline extended

HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii has more than $1 million remaining in funding for electric vehicle rebates and has extended the deadline for applying for those rebates, state officials announced Monday.

The state extended the deadline to Jan. 31 to apply for rebates on new electric or hybrid electric-gasoline cars and charges through the Hawaii Electric Vehicle Ready Program. Without an extension, September would have been the deadline.

State rebates are available of up to $4,500 on purchases of electric vehicles and up to $500 for electric vehicle chargers. Federal tax credits for electric vehicles are worth up to $7,500. Rebates are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

"We want to empower more Hawaii residents with the opportunity to contribute to Hawaii's goal of becoming more energy efficient and increase our energy security," said Estrella Seese, acting energy program administrator for the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism's Energy Office. "Our top economic priority as a state is energy independence. The extension of the rebates for electric vehicles and chargers is good news for consumers who wish to purchase them."

Since the beginning of the year, 128 state rebates have been approved for 68 electric vehicles and 60 chargers, with $1,068,988 left in federal stimulus funds. The state anticipates an increase in demand for new electric vehicles for the last quarter of this year.

State officials tout electric vehicles as twice as energy efficient as the average gasoline-powered car. On Monday, Hawaii had the most expensive gas in the nation at $4.08 per gallon of regular unleaded, according to AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge Report. The price was about 63 cents higher than last year.

Hawaii is among the states designated for early release of electric vehicles produced such as the Nissan Leaf. The Aloha state's moderate climate, limited driving distances and strong tourism industry make for an ideal location for electric vehicles, the state said. Hawaii has the largest number of reservations per capita in the country for the Leaf.

The state announced in March about $2.6 million in federal stimulus money will be distributed to four private companies and two county governments to build about 250 electric vehicle-charging stations in an effort to help promote adoption of the autos.

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Powering up: Lujack's installs electric vehicle charging station

Jennifer DeWitt The Quad-City Times | Posted: Thursday, August 11, 2011 9:06 pm |

Lujack Chevy became the first area Chevrolet dealer and Quad-City dealership to install an Electric Vehicle, or EV, charging station — a move that is firing up local leaders interested in seeing the technology expand across the Quad-Cities.

Under the glare of media cameras Thursday, Darrin Plett, a journeyman electrician with Davenport Electric Contract Co., installed a Level 2 EV charger inside the service department of Lujack Chevy.

“This is what it would look like in your garage,” Gwen Tombergs, Lujack’s marketing director, said during a news conference at the Davenport dealership. “As you can see, it takes 10 minutes to install once electric is run.”

Tombergs said the station was installed in anticipation of the arrival of the new Chevy Volt, which is expected to be on Lujack’s lots in the next couple months. The dealer also will sell the Nissan Leaf, but she said its arrival “is farther down the line.”

“Of course, we’ll have to charge our own cars, but this is also for the public’s use,” she said of the new charging station. “If you’re in town and you need to charge your car, you could come up here and charge it.”

The SPX EL-50580 Voltec charging station supplies electric energy for electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid (electric-gas vehicles), semi-static and mobile electrical units. Tombergs said an average charge with a Level 2 EV charger takes about four hours. “(A charger) also comes with the car, but with those it takes about 10 hours to charge.”

The charging station was hailed by the Quad-City chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association, or NECA, which partnered with Lujack’s to advance the charging infrastructure. “We are excited to help lay the groundwork and facilitate bringing this technology to the Quad-City area,” said Steve Chesley, the chapter’s executive manager. “We’re just trying to get the Quad-Cities to look to the future. So many cities just sit and wait and see what other cities are doing first.”

Chesley said the Chevy Volt is the first major EV car to be hitting the market, but all the major manufacturers are expected to launch their own models by the end of 2012.

With more electric cars being introduced, the high price of gasoline and government incentives available for EV car buyers, Chesley said “This is going to be a very viable market.”

Davenport Mayor Bill Gluba also hopes to see EV charging stations installed across downtown Davenport, although plans to do so have not been finalized. “We’re a green city and we’re going to build upon that,” he said.

Among the ideas he and other city officials have been discussing informally is to install charging stations to create a revenue stream to replace the income lost when the city removed its downtown parking meters earlier this year. With the new revenue, he said “we could use it to pay off some of the bonds on the parking ramps.”

Gluba said he also is looking into the possibility of installing wind turbines along the riverfront to generate electricity to power the charging stations. “That’s the idea, whether it’s going to happen I don’t know. But my prediction is by 2015 you’re going to see a lot of electric cars around town and they’re going to need to be charged somewhere.”

Molly Arp Newell, president of EnviroNet, a Davenport environmental consulting firm, said the firm has been hired by Delta Institute to identify locations in the Quad-Cities that could be used as EV charging demonstration sites. “We’d like it to be on a brownfield site,” she said, adding that EnviroNet is looking at areas near where the public now gathers for a two- to three-hour period. “Having locations to plug the vehicles in is the key.”

She said the research is creating the groundwork for obtaining future grant funding.

Meanwhile, Chesley said NECA has been working with its contractor members for more than a year so they are prepared to install the new technology. He said about five local contractors are certified to install the chargers and even more are in the approval process.

Plett, the electrician, said an average home will be able to accommodate the power needed for an in-house EV charging station. “It draws about half (the electricity) of a dryer or an average air conditioning unit.”

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Manufacturing Industry in China and Chinese Electric Vehicle Charging Station Market Reports Now available at ...

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM--(Marketwire - Aug. 4, 2011) - Reportstack (http://www.reportstack.com) provider of premium market research reports announces the addition of China Electric Vehicle Charging Station Market 2010-2014 and Manufacturing Industry in China 2010-2014 to their offering. These strategic reports add to Reportstack's growing portfolio of China Market Research.

The China Manufacturing industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 19.7 percent over the 2010-2014 period. One of the key factors contributing to this market growth is the open economic policy of the Chinese Government. The Manufacturing industry in China has also been witnessing an increased focus on infrastructure, championed by the Government. However, competition from other lower cost destinations, such as India, could be a challenge to the growth of this market.

Key industries dominating this market space include Iron & Steel, Automobile, Consumer Appliances, and Computer Hardware, Telecom Equipment & Mobile Manufacturing.

The China Manufacturing Industry report has been prepared based on an in-depth analysis of the market with inputs from industry experts. The report focuses on China and covers the overall Manufacturing industry in the region.

The Chinese Electric Vehicle Charging Station market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 153.2 percent over the period of 2010-2014. One of the key factors contributing to this market growth is scarcity of oil reserves in China. The Chinese Electric Vehicle Charging Station has also been witnessing government initiative to build the infrastructure required for Electric Vehicles. However, lack of standards and infrastructure could hinder the growth of this market.

Key vendors dominating this market space include Nari, XJ Electric, Rongxin Power Electronic, and Henan Senyuan Electric.

The China Electric Vehicle Charging Station Market 2010-2014 has been prepared based on an in-depth analysis of the market with inputs from industry experts. The report focuses on the Chinese market; it covers the Electric Vehicle Charging Station market landscape and its growth prospects.

Key questions answered in these reports:

What will the market size be in 2014 and at what rate will it grow?

What key trends is this market subject to?

What is driving this market?

What are the challenges to market growth?

Who are the key vendors in this market space?

What are the opportunities and threats faced by each of these key vendors?

What are the strengths and weaknesses of each of these key vendors?

Browse table of contents for the Manufacturing Industry in China 2010-2014 at: http://www.reportstack.com/product/22547/manufacturing-industry-in-china-2010-2014.html.

Browse table of contents for the Chinese Electric Vehicle Charging Station Market 2010-2014 at: http://www.reportstack.com/product/22521/chinese-electric-vehicle-charging-station-market-2010-2014.html.

Visit Reportstack's official blog at: http://reportstack.wordpress.com.

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O’Malley To Attend Electric Vehicle Charger Event

BETHESDA, Md. (AP) — Gov. Martin O’Malley is scheduled to attend the launch of Maryland’s first solar tracking electric vehicle charger.

The governor will be taking part in the event in Bethesda on Monday.

Last week, O’Malley named members of a group that will plan the integration of electric vehicles into Maryland. The Electrical Vehicle Infrastructure Council includes representatives of automobile manufacturers and dealers, electrical vehicle charging manufacturers, utilities and electrical workers. It also includes state and local government representatives as well as environmental and energy experts.

The council was formed to develop statewide standards for streamlined permitting and installation of electrical vehicle charging stations and supply equipment. It’s also tasked with increasing consumer awareness about electrical vehicles.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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GKN Driveline Sees Strong Interest in Electric-Drive Vehicle Systems

{"s" : "gkn.l,gknly.pk","k" : "a00,a50,b00,b60,c10,g00,h00,l10,p20,t10,v00","o" : "","j" : ""} Press Release Source: GKN Driveline On Tuesday August 9, 2011, 10:00 am EDT

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Aug. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- GKN Driveline has nearly 40 electric and hybrid-electric vehicle projects currently underway for major automakers around the world, signaling a major push within the industry to speed development of electric cars and light trucks.

(Logo: ?http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110809/DE49568LOGO )

"Interest is especially high among vehicle manufacturers hoping to convert an existing front-wheel-drive platform to an all-wheel-drive hybrid program," said Dr. Ray Kuczera, vice president of engineering for GKN Driveline Americas. "This type of conversion has the potential to increase fuel economy by up to 35 percent."

He noted that GKN Driveline has furnished more than 250,000 electric rear-drive axles to Nissan and Mazda in Japan over the past 10 years, giving the company considerable experience in this rapidly growing market segment.

"In parallel with hybrids, interest in electric cars and vehicles with extended range capability has been apparent at auto shows for several years," Kuczera added, reporting that GKN Driveline also has developed eTransmissions for three electric-car programs scheduled for production in Asia and North America. ?

The company relies on two competitive strengths for its rapidly growing electric axle and transmission business:

For hybrids, the company has a patented disconnect system that turns its eAxle (electric-drive axle) off in less than 80 milliseconds to improve efficiency when the axle is not needed. When torque is required, the axle turns back on in about 100 milliseconds.For electric vehicles, GKN Driveline has developed three families of ready-made eTransmissions that can be inexpensively tuned to meet different vehicle requirements.

"What counts for our customers is our ability to complete development projects quickly and at a relatively low cost," said Max Owen, president, GKN Driveline Americas.

Owen said GKN Driveline currently has several major electric and hybrid-electric development programs with U.S. automakers and expects to add more before year-end.

In Europe, the Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4 equipped with GKN Driveline components goes on sale this year followed by two other Peugeot-Citroen vehicles with GKN Driveline solutions – the Peugeot 508 HYbrid4 and Citroen DS5 HYbrid4.

The Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4 -- a crossover with a 120 kW diesel engine to drive the vehicle's front wheels and a 27 kW electric motor for its rear axle -- can travel short distances on electric power alone. ?It also can operate in four-wheel-drive for maximum performance and road grip and can run on the highway for hours with an efficient 2.0-liter diesel equipped with a particulate filter. Fuel consumption for the Peugeot hybrid is about 35 percent less than for vehicles of comparable size and performance.

GKN Driveline's axle business for pure electric vehicles began with a modular approach, as engineers created three standard families of eTransmissions to drive front and/or rear axles on small city cars, standard mid-range cars, large premium sedans, SUVs and sportscars.

Within each transmission family, the company only needs to change two gears inside a common gearbox to adapt to different motor speeds, power levels and wheel speeds. Standard products can be customized to meet individual vehicle manufacturer requirements, helping to reduce both cost and development time. ?GKN Driveline can provide prototypes in three months and be in series production within 18 months.

GKN Driveline's ability to meet aggressive production schedules helps automakers reduce product-development costs and introduce new products ahead of competitors. Its eTransmissions are compact, lightweight and 96-percent efficient, offering the final consumer vehicles with greater range at lower cost.

"We are currently developing eTransmissions for 15 different projects and have confirmed eTransmission orders for electric vehicles in Europe, Asia and North America," said Kuczera.

GKN Driveline currently supplies more than 40 percent of the world's standard front- and rear-wheel sideshafts and is introducing new driveline-system technologies to take advantage of all-wheel-drive safety and handling features while minimizing the impact on fuel economy.

For conventional (non-hybrid) vehicles, for example, GKN Driveline has designed a "disconnecting" all-wheel-drive system that completely decouples a vehicle's rear driveline when not required. The system reconnects swiftly and seamlessly when needed. ?

Through the use of synchronizers and clutches, the propshaft and elements in the rear-driveline module can stop rotating when all-wheel-drive is not required. ?Eliminating unnecessary driveline motion can lead to significant improvements in all-wheel-drive fuel economy.

"Although the concept sounds rather simple, making it happen represents a major challenge," Kuczera explained. "Accelerating the vehicle driveline from zero to several thousand RPM in a fraction of a second is only one part of the equation – it also must be silent and completely transparent to the driver and passengers alike."

In addition to its market-leading positions in eDrive Systems, GKN Driveline's product segments include: CVJ Systems; AWD Systems and Trans Axle Solutions.

About GKN Driveline

GKN Driveline is the world's leading supplier of automotive driveline systems and solutions. As a global business serving the leading vehicle manufacturers, GKN Driveline develops, builds and supplies an extensive range of automotive driveline systems – for use in the smallest ultra low-cost car to the most sophisticated premium vehicle demanding the most complex driving dynamics.

GKN Driveline is a leading global producer of CVJ systems, AWD systems, Trans Axle solutions and eDrive systems.

www.gkndriveline.com

About GKN Group

GKN plc is a global engineering business serving mainly the automotive, aerospace and land systems markets. It has operations in more than 30 countries, around 38,000 employees in subsidiaries and joint ventures and had sales of 5.4 billion pounds in the year to 31 December 2010. GKN plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE:GKN.l - News)

www.gkn.com

GKN Driveline's product segments include:

CVJ Systems

GKN Driveline's constant velocity joint systems provide space, weight and fuel savings with greater all round efficiency.GKN Driveline supplies the most extensive range of CVJ systems – used in the smallest ultra-low cost car through to the most sophisticated premium vehicle. ?

AWD Systems

GKN Driveline has full all-wheel drive systems capability.GKN Driveline's all-wheel drive couplings improve vehicle handling, stability and traction by intelligently distributing power, and disconnecting technology can supplement low drag and inertia for ultimate efficiency.

Trans Axle Solutions

GKN Driveline produces highly durable open differentials and has the most extensive range of limited slip differentials (LSD), from the smallest super LSD to the largest electronically controlled axle locker.For the ultimate capability, GKN Driveline's torque vectoring solutions provide the answer.

eDrive Systems

GKN Driveline's pioneering electric drive technology is used in 250,000 vehicles today.GKN Driveline's eDrives are designed for the new generation of fuel efficient, low emission electric and hybrid vehicles.

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16 vehicle-charging stations coming

Sixteen electric-vehicle charging stations being installed at Pima County libraries this month are part of a network of 125 stations slated for the entire Tucson area by the end of 2011, officials said Friday.

Financed in part by a large federal stimulus grant, this project will make Pima County part of a national test market for the usefulness of electric-vehicle charging stations. Eighteen cities in seven states - also including Phoenix - are getting the charging stations, courtesy of about $100 million in federal Department of Energy grants matched by $130 million from private investors.

Project backers hope that the stations will nurture the still nascent electric-vehicle industry - only about 200 electric vehicles currently operate in Tucson - as an alternative to gasoline-powered cars.

The library stations are going into what county officials say are "high-traffic areas," and will be ready for use in September.

Two similar stations are being unveiled today at the Rancho Sahuarita Marketplace in Sahuarita. Four were installed in June at Oro Valley Town Hall.

Other possible or likely locations include the Tucson Convention Center, shopping malls, bookstores, parking garages, gasoline stations, museums, Pima Community College and Tucson Botanical Gardens, said Marc Sobelman, an official with ECOtality Inc., a private company managing the project.

The network will be tested through the end of 2012. The federal grant and private investments are picking up the tab for the electricity to run the charging stations. Then, it will be up to the charging-station site owners to decide whether to continue operating them and how to recover electricity costs.

"We're trying to find out what infrastructure works and what methods of installing infrastructure work," said Sobelman, Arizona area manager for ECOtality. "We're trying to learn where are the good places and which ones aren't? If we put four at El Con Mall and they don't pan out, and we put them across the street and they work there, why does that happen?"

A Republican state senator from Tucson, Frank Antenori, said he doesn't think federal support of these stations is that bad, although he generally opposes federal subsidies of electric vehicles and other alternative-energy sources. He said he oversaw construction of a hybrid vehicle for the U.S. Army while working for a defense contractor.

Antenori took strong exception, however, to the federal subsidy for the stations' electricity. "You're basically giving them free fuel for a year and a half. If you're looking for data points to develop the feasibility of electricity usage, and you first give something for free and then charge, you are wasting their time."

Pima County Supervisor Ray Carroll and City Councilman Steve Kozachik, also Republicans, praised the stations plan.

"Everyone knows we have to break away from our reliance on fossil fuels. It certainly seems like overkill with the number of charging stations compared to the number of vehicles we have. But with the cost of gasoline so high we will be seeing a lot more electric vehicles in our marketplace," Carroll said.

Installing the stations is part of building the infrastructure needed to make electric vehicles work, Kozachik said. "People keep pointing out the problem of, 'where will you charge them?' This is where you will charge them. The federal government is stepping up to the plate and putting in the infrastructure."

Antenori added, however, that because most of Tucson Electric Power's supply comes from coal-fired power plants, the electric cars aren't as clean an energy source as they're cracked up to be.

"Those touchy-feely people who think they're going around emission-free are not - it's still generating a carbon footprint," he said.

Sobelman, in reply, pointed to the fact that TEP and other utilities face a state requirement to use at least 15 percent renewable electricity sources by 2025.

As for the current paucity of electric cars, he said the project backers hope that by the end of 2013, every major car manufacturer will be selling a pure electric or battery-operated hybrid vehicle.

"We're not just putting these stations in for now -we've put them in for a five- or 10-year plan," he said.

Station locations

Vehicle-charging stations are being installed at these libraries:

‧ Joel D. Valdez Main Library, 101 N. Stone Ave.

‧ Eckstrom-Columbus Branch Library, 4350 E. 22nd St.

‧ Himmel Park Branch Library, 1035 N. Treat Ave.

‧ Kirk-Bear Canyon Branch Library, 8959 E. Tanque Verde Road.

‧ Martha Cooper Branch Library, 1377 N. Catalina Ave.

‧ Nanini Branch Library, 7300 N. Shannon Road.

‧ Woods Memorial Branch Library, 3455 N. First Ave.

‧ Murphy-Wilmot Branch Library, 530 N. Wilmot Road.

DID YOU KNOW?

Car manufacturers have picked Tucson as an early market for the electric Nissan Leaf, Chevrolet Volt and Ford Focus Electric.

Contact reporter Tony Davis at tdavis@azstarnet.com or 806-7746.

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Leviton Supplies One of the First Commercial Electric Car Charging Stations in New Jersey at the IEEE Operations ...

Press Release Source: Leviton On Friday August 12, 2011, 1:33 pm EDT

MELVILLE, N.Y., Aug. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Leviton, a leading global manufacturer of electrical devices, unveiled one of the first commercial electric vehicle charging stations in central New Jersey at the IEEE operations center in Piscataway during a ribbon cutting ceremony earlier today. The Leviton Evr-Green? Level 2 Commercial Charging Station, donated by Graybar, provides IEEE employees who own electric vehicles a convenient location to recharge for free while at work. IEEE is the world's largest technical professional association advancing technology for humanity, with 400,000 members worldwide.

"Leviton's relationship with IEEE is a major step in the right direction to help promote the further adoption and expansion of electric vehicle usage," explained Mike Mattei, Vice President and General Manager for Leviton's Commercial and Industrial Division. "At Leviton, we aim to create commercial electric power delivery solutions that are easy-to-use, and the Evr-Green electric vehicle charging products continue that tradition."

Designed to meet the needs of customers and employees at organizations such as IEEE, Leviton's Evr-Green Commercial Charging Stations are easy to use and highly reliable. Power is delivered through a single output that provides 7.2kW (208/ 240 V @ 30 A) Level 2 charging which is delivered via a standard SAE J1772? connector and 18-foot cable.

Running through the ChargePoint network, the largest network of electric vehicle charging stations in the world, Leviton's Evr-Green Commercial Charging Stations provide 24/7 driver support through a toll-free number, real-time reporting of station activity, station monitoring and access restriction to ensure only IEEE employees utilize the equipment. To access the station, employees use a ChargePass? Card or call ChargePoint's toll-free customer service number located on the charging station's screen. Using the ChargePass Card to establish access ensures IEEE's charging station is only available for authorized employees.

Leviton's Evr-Green Commercial Charging Stations are available for immediate delivery from Graybar, a leading distributor of high quality electrical, communications and data networking products and related services. The Evr-Green charging stations are listed to UL 2594, and comply with all industry standards, including the current National Electrical CodeR. They have been specifically developed to meet stringent automotive quality, product development and testing requirements.

About Leviton

Leviton Manufacturing Company is one of the largest privately held global providers of electrical wiring devices, data center connectivity solutions and lighting energy management systems. Founded at the turn of the 20th century in America, Leviton has grown to become one of the preeminent leaders in the electrical industry. Today, Leviton's product portfolio consists of more than 25,000 devices and systems used in homes, businesses and industry. Proven to be a smart choice, nine out of 10 homes throughout North America have Leviton products installed in them. Builders, electrical contractors and other industry professionals rank Leviton products No. 1 in brand preference. To request more information about Leviton's Evr-Green portfolio, please visit www.leviton.com.

About IEEE

IEEE, the world's largest technical professional association, is dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. ?Through its highly cited publications, conferences, technology standards, and professional and educational activities, IEEE is the trusted voice on a wide variety of areas ranging from aerospace systems, computers and telecommunications to biomedical engineering, electric power and consumer electronics. ?Learn more at http://www.ieee.org.

About Graybar

Graybar, a Fortune 500 corporation and one of the largest employee-owned companies in North America, is a leader in the distribution of high quality electrical, communications and data networking products, and specializes in related supply chain management and logistics services. Through its network of nearly 240 North American distribution facilities, it stocks and sells products from thousands of manufacturers, helping its customers power, network and secure their facilities with speed, intelligence and efficiency. For more information, visit www.graybar.com or call 1-800-GRAYBAR.

PR Contact:
Eileen McGlone, Commercial and Industrial Marketing Director
631-812-6132
emcglone@leviton.com

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EBSCO Publishing to Provide Employees with Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Strong Commitment to Environment Leads Ipswich, Massachusetts Company to Invest in Charging Stations for Electric Vehicles

Ipswich, MA (PRWEB) August 10, 2011

Employees at EBSCO Publishing (EBSCO) in Ipswich, Massachusetts wondering whether to invest in an electric car have a new incentive. EBSCO has installed two Electric Vehicle Charging Stations at the company’s downtown headquarters—the very first commercial-grade charging stations in Ipswich.

The charging stations will allow employees driving plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and all-battery electric vehicles (BEVs) to recharge while at work. EBSCO Publishing President Tim Collins says if this encourages an employee to buy an electric car then it was worth the effort. “We want to make it as easy as possible to consider buying a car that has a smaller carbon footprint. If someone is on the fence about going electric, I hope that the prospect of being able to ‘top off’ the charge while at work will provide that extra impetus to making a more responsible buying decision.” Collins will be leading by example as he is in the process of buying an electric vehicle.

As a company that prides itself on its efforts to reduce its environmental footprint, EBSCO has undertaken a number of green projects. EBSCO has two large photovoltaic solar electric arrays that help defray the energy output in two of its four downtown Ipswich buildings and a solar array that powers a hot water heater designated for its employee dining facility. The company takes advantage of its location next to the Ipswich commuter rail station by reimbursing the commuting costs of employees who take the train to and from work, and EBSCO has been providing its field sales teams with hybrid vehicles since 2007. EBSCO employs more than 850 people at its downtown campus.

Voltrek, an Andover, Massachusetts woman-owned company, oversaw the complete project to add two charging stations to the EBSCO campus. Voltrek is a national provider of turnkey solutions for building electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Voltrek Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Kathleen Rosen, says EBSCO’s installation is one of only a few private installations in Massachusetts. “There are a number of cities and towns looking to add these stations but to have a private company install two stations for its employees is a real testament to EBSCO’s commitment to environmental conservation and to its employees.”

There is currently a program from the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources that will increase the number of charging stations in municipalities throughout the state. Salem is one of the communities slated to receive a charging station in November through the state grant.

About EBSCO Publishing

EBSCO Publishing is the producer of EBSCOhostR, the world’s premier for-fee online research service, including full-text databases, subject indexes, point-of-care medical reference, historical digital archives, and eBooks. The company provides more than 350 databases and nearly 300,000 eBooks. Through a library of tens of thousands of full-text journals and magazines from renowned publishers, EBSCO serves the content needs of all researchers (Academic, Medical, K-12, Public Library, Corporate, Government, etc.). EBSCO is also the provider of EBSCO Discovery Service? (EDS), which provides each institution with a fast, single search box for its entire collection, offering deeper indexing and more full-text searching of journals and magazines than any other discovery service (http://www.ebscohost.com/discovery). For more information, visit the EBSCO Publishing Web site at: http://www.ebscohost.com, or contact: information(at)ebscohost(dot)com. EBSCO Publishing is a division of EBSCO Industries Inc., one of the largest privately held companies in the United States.

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Kathleen McEvoy
EBSCO Publishing
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South Korean government gives a push to mid-size electric cars to be made by 2014

While the global auto world is still looking at viable Electric Vehicle (EV) technology in small cars with Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf leading way, it has been reported that the South Korean government is interested in mid-size electric vehicles to be produced in the country from 2014, three years ahead of schedule, in an attempt to secure a dominant position in the global market.

According to media reports, the South Korean Ministry of Knowledge Economy has signed a memorandum of understanding late last month with a consortium led by the country's leading automaker Hyundai Motor to develop the country's first "mid-size" electric vehicle for commercial use by 2014. It was also mentioned that the ministry earlier sought to complete development of mid-size electric vehicles in 2017 under its so-called Green Car Development Plan, announced late last year.

The reports also mentioned that Hyundai Motor, along with its 43 partners and suppliers, developed the country's first compact electric vehicle, the BlueOn, last year and is set to produce about 250 units before the end of the year for use mostly by public offices. Kia Motors Corp, an affiliate of Hyundai, is also developing an electric compact utility vehicle, which is expected to be revealed at the end of this year, it was mentioned.

According to the ministry, the most outstanding characteristic of this project is that it will try to lower high prices and improve poor performance (of electric vehicles) that have been considered as an obstacle to promoting wide use of electric cars. It was also mentioned that Hyundai's BlueOn can travel up to 140 kilometers per six-hour recharge, shorter than 160 kilometers covered by its main Japanese rival the LEAF by Nissan Motor Co at present, the report stated.

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Electric-vehicle charging stations being built at 8 Tucson-area libraries

Electric vehicle charging stations will be ready for use next month at eight Pima County libraries, officials said today.

The charging stations are being installed this summer in parking lots, two per library. They’re being placed in high-traffic areas, mostly in the central part of Tucson and on the east side.

The stations are intended to be supplemental charging facilities, meant for recharging electric vehicles whose owners had previously charged them at their homes.

County officials say this project will help reduce the use of fossil fuels, provide better air quality and encourage clean technology.

Pima County is one of 16 metro areas around the country getting these charging stations under a federal grant. The project is financed by the U.S. Department of Energy stimulus grant of $114.8 million, from the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The grants are matched by private investment, bringing the total value of the national project to approximately $230 million.

ECOtality, Inc. is the San Francisco-based for-profit manager of the charging station installation project.

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AAA To Add Electric Car Recharging To California Roadside Assistance

 

Nissan Leaf Electric Car. (Nissan)

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) – The American Automobile Association has announced plans to deploy electric vehicle mobile charging units in its roadside assistance operations, with California service beginning as early as August.

AAA will unveil its mobile charging roadside assistance vehicles at the Plug-in 2011 Conference and Exposition in Raleigh North Carolina next month, with unit deployment scheduled in six states, including California starting in August, according to AutoObserver.com.

KCBS’ Margie Shafer Reports:

“People have got to be able to know that these things can be repaired or serviced on the road, including if they break down on the side of the road,” said Detroit-based auto industry analyst John McElroy. “So, AAA is getting ready for this by starting to offer charging along with its tow trucks.”

The service will also begin in Japan on a trial basis. Vehicles will be equipped with level two and level three chargers.

McElroy said the electric car market is very small right now, with hybrids comprising just three percent of the US market.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts and General Motors Encourage Arts Lovers to Go Green this Summer

For 40th Anniversary Season Wolf Trap Announces New Environmental Initiatives Including Electric Vehicle Charging Stations at the Filene Center and The Barns at Wolf Trap

Vienna, VA (PRWEB) June 22, 2011

The Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts and General Motors want to make it easier and more convenient for motorists to go green. That’s why this summer the two organizations have teamed up to install three 240-v, electric vehicle charging stations—two at The Filene Center at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts and one at The Barns at Wolf Trap. A Chevrolet Volt, or electric vehicle of any kind, can be fully charged in just four hours at these stations, compared to the 10 hours it takes at a standard outlet. These new stations enable Wolf Trap patrons to charge their green vehicles while they enjoy performances, arts education classes or events.

The installation of the charging stations represents the latest initiative in Wolf Trap’s internationally acclaimed Go Green program, which was formally launched in 2006 to reduce the Foundation and Park’s carbon footprint and leverage the power of the arts to inspire others to protect the environment. Since its launch Wolf Trap has cut its carbon output by more than 20 percent and its landfill waste in half.

"Because GM and Wolf Trap have a longstanding partnership, it makes good sense to help back the Park's ongoing green efforts," said Bob Ferguson, GM Vice President for Global Public Policy. "For those patrons who drive a Chevrolet Volt, they can now recharge their cars outside while they recharge with a great show this summer."

GM has served as a Wolf Trap partner for 17 years, and in 2002 signed on as the official vehicle. In the past several years, in line with Wolf Trap’s Go Green program, GM began providing hybrid vehicles; adding the Volt to the line-up this year.

“The installation of the electric vehicle charging stations at the Park and at the Barns at Wolf Trap is a natural extension of our partnership with GM.” said Terrence Jones, president and CEO of Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts. “As we continue to expand the Go Green program at Wolf Trap, we look to partners who share our passion for protecting the environment and can help further our efforts. With these new charging stations, Wolf Trap helps patrons go green while raising awareness about environmentally friendly energy sources and transportation.”

Other environmental initiatives Wolf Trap features this season include a series of Green Spots on the plaza of The Filene Center, in which patrons can learn about the various ways the organization has gone green and how they can get involved as well. http://www.wolftrap.org/green

Additionally, Wolf Trap is a founding member of the Green Music Group (GMG), a coalition of musicians, industry leaders, and music fans working to create widespread environmental change within the music industry and around the globe. As part of its affiliation with this group, Wolf Trap presents green artists each season. In 2011 Guster will perform at the Filene Center on August 15th. Other green artists Wolf Trap has presented in years past include Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, Sheryl Crow, and The Roots among many others.

To learn more about Wolf Trap’s Go Green program please visit: http://www.wolftrap.org/green

About The Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts
The Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded by Catherine Filene Shouse (1896-1994), produces and presents a full range of performance and education programs in the Greater Washington area, as well as nationally and internationally. Wolf Trap features three performance venues, the outdoor Filene Center and Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods, both located at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, and the Barns at Wolf Trap, located down the road from the park and adjacent to the Center for Education at Wolf Trap. In partnership with the National Park Service, The 7,028-seat Filene Center annually showcases an extensive list of diverse artists, ranging from pop, country, folk, and blues to classical music, dance, and theater, as well as multimedia presentations, from May through September. The Barns operates year round, and during the summer months is home to the Grammy-nominated Wolf Trap Opera Company, one of America’s outstanding resident ensemble programs for young opera singers. Wolf Trap’s education programs include the nationally acclaimed Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts, Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods, a diverse array of arts education classes, scholarships, and a nationally recognized internship program that was included in Bloomberg BusinessWeek’s 2009 List of “Best Places to Intern.” As part of its ongoing commitment to protect and preserve the environment, Wolf Trap offers metro access and is a founding member of the Green Music Group. Terrence D. Jones is president and CEO of the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts.

About General Motors - General Motors (NYSE: GM, TSX: GMM), one of the world’s largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 202,000 people in every major region of the world and does business in more than 120 countries. GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 30 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands: Baojun, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Daewoo, Holden, Isuzu, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall, and Wuling. GM’s largest national market is China, followed by the United States, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, and Italy. GM’s OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on the new General Motors can be found at http://www.gm.com.

Wolf Trap Foundation Contact: Melissa Chotiner, (703) 255-4096 or melissac(at)wolftrap(dot)org
General Motors Contact: Carolyn Markey, (202) 997-3537 or Carolyn(dot)markey(at)gm(dot)com

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Melissa Chotiner
Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts
(703) 255-4096
Email Information

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Research and Markets: Chinese Electric Vehicle Charging Station Market 2010-2014 - Government Initiatives Biggest ...

Press Release Source: Research and Markets On Wednesday June 22, 2011, 5:05 am EDT

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/ffc178/chinese_electric_v) has announced the addition of the "Chinese Electric Vehicle Charging Station Market 2010-2014" report to their offering.

Research conducted by Technavio reveals, that the Chinese Electric Vehicle Charging Station market is expected to grow rapidly. The report, which focuses exclusively on China indicates, that the market is currently driven by the various green initiatives under taken by the government to promote the use of electric vehicles.

China, the largest automobile market in the world, has been witnessing increased pollution. As a result, the government has been promoting electric vehicles by providing grants and subsidies. This in turn has been driving the growth of electric vehicle charging stations, reports Technavio analyst.

In spite of the need, the lack of standards and infrastructure hinder the growth of this market. However, the scarcity of oil reserves is another factor that will drive growth in this market.

The Electric Vehicle Charging Station market is marked by several energy companies entering the charging station segment. This makes the study an important one for companies to fully understand the potential in the market and formulate its own strategy.

The report, Chinese Electric Vehicle Charging Station Market 2010-2014, is based on an extensive research from inputs by industry experts, vendors and end-users. It examines the factors- including the key trends, drivers and challenges, impacting the evolution of this market. Further, it contains an in-depth understanding of the key vendors including their SWOT analysis. Companies mentioned in this report include: NARI, XJ Electric, Rongxin Power Electronic and Henan Senyuan Electric.

TechNavio's analysts forecast the Chinese Electric Vehicle Charging Station market to grow at a CAGR of 153.2 percent over the period of 2010-2014. One of the key factors contributing to this market growth is scarcity of oil reserves in China. The Chinese Electric Vehicle Charging Station has also been witnessing government initiative to build the infrastructure required for Electric Vehicles. However, lack of standards and infrastructure could hinder the growth of this market.

Key vendors dominating this market space include Nari, XJ Electric, Rongxin Power Electronic, and Henan Senyuan Electric.

TechNavio's Chinese Electric Vehicle Charging Station Market 2010-2014 has been prepared based on an in-depth analysis of the market with inputs from industry experts. The report focuses on the Chinese market; it covers the Electric Vehicle Charging Station market landscape and its growth prospects.

Key questions answered in this report: What will the market size be in 2014 and at what rate will it grow? What key trends is this market subject to? What is driving this market? What are the challenges to market growth? Who are the key vendors in this market space? What are the opportunities and threats faced by each of these key vendors? What are the strengths and weaknesses of each of these key vendors?

Companies Mentioned:

NARI Sinopec XJ Electric China Southern Power Grid Co

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/ffc178/chinese_electric_v

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