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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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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Mitsubishi Motors and Energy Industry Leader NRG Energy Team Up to Improve Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure in ...

Press Release Source: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. On Thursday April 21, 2011, 2:40 pm EDT

WASHINGTON, April 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA) and NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NRG - News), one of America's leading energy producers, are joining forces to provide owners of the upcoming Mitsubishi i new freedom and range confidence across NRG's eVgo(SM) (ee-vee-go) comprehensive, privately funded electric vehicle (EV) recharging network.

(Photo: ?http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110421/LA87452)

Set for an initial rollout in the coming months in two of America's most populated metropolitan areas - Houston and the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex - before expanding into additional major cities throughout Texas in 2012, Mitsubishi i owners in the Lone Star State will soon be able to quickly and conveniently recharge their breakthrough eco-friendly and efficient EVs at dozens of eVgo charging Freedom Stations.

Each Freedom Station provides a 480 volt DC fast charger that can add 30 miles of range in as little as 10 minutes and a 240 volt Level 2 charger that can add up to 25 miles of range in an hour. Freedom Stations are available 24/7 and include a customer service tower with a mounted camera, giving customers access to an eVgo service representative or to activate a strobe light, siren and alert law enforcement, even from inside their vehicles. The eVgo network will also include Convenience Stations(SM) that offer a 240 volt Level 2 charger and are available during the retail host's business hours.

The targeted market rollout for these new eVgo EV charging stations is to have 25 Freedom Stations in the Houston area and 35 Freedom Stations in the Dallas/Fort Worth area open by the end of this summer, with the number of available Freedom Stations increasing to 50 and 75 in the two metropolitan areas respectively by the end of 2012. NRG also plans to electrify the Interstate 45 corridor connecting them in 2012.

"Through this partnership, owners of Mitsubishi i electric vehicles will find tremendous convenience, economy and price security through their access to the eVgo network," said Arun Banskota, president of NRG EV Services. "We welcome Mitsubishi to the eVgo partnership and look forward to building an unprecedented and growing EV infrastructure together."

Another facet of the partnership will see Mitsubishi acting as a consultant to NRG in the energy company's efforts to advance electric vehicle infrastructure in America. The Japanese auto manufacturer has extensive knowledge in electric vehicles and EV infrastructure as it has been designing and developing 100% electric-powered cars for more than four decades and has sold thousands of Mitsubishi i production cars in Japan and Europe. ?

An additional part of the Mitsubishi Motors/NRG agreement will allow Mitsubishi i owners in Texas the option to subscribe to special EV Charging Package rates offered by NRG during the home assessment service and installation of an Eaton Level II home charger.

"We are very excited to be working with such a dynamic and forward-thinking energy company as NRG to expand the electric vehicle recharging infrastructure in the great state of Texas," said Yoichi Yokozawa, President and CEO of Mitsubishi Motors North America. "Savvy consumers and corporate/municipality fleet managers who take advantage of our special pre-order offer for the eco-friendly and money-saving electric-powered Mitsubishi i beginning Earth Day, April 22, 2011, will have scores of convenient, fast and affordable eVgo recharging stations to choose from when they take delivery of their cars next year."

For more information on the Mitsubishi i, log on to www.mitsubishicars.com/imievfleet and for more on the eVgo network, including charger locations, pricing plans or to recommend an eVgo charging location, visit www.evgonetwork.com/.

About Mitsubishi Motors Corporation

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA) is responsible for all manufacturing, finance, sales, marketing, research and development operations for Mitsubishi Motors in the United States. ?MMNA sells coupes, convertibles, sedans and sport utility vehicles through a network of approximately 400 dealers. In November of 2011, MMNA will launch the battery-powered Mitsubishi i electric vehicle as part of a corporate mission to offer consumers more environmentally responsible modes of transportation. This battery-powered electric vehicle technology addresses the need for vehicles that produce zero tailpipe emissions and support a growing agenda for sustainability. For more information, contact the Mitsubishi Motors News Bureau at (888) 560-6672 or visit media.mitsubishicars.com.

About NRG

NRG Energy, Inc., a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 Index company, owns and operates one of the country's largest and most diverse power generation portfolios. Headquartered in Princeton, NJ, the Company's power plants provide nearly 25,000 megawatts of generation capacity—enough to supply nearly 20 million homes. NRG's retail businesses, Reliant Energy and Green Mountain Energy Company, combined serve more than 1.8 million residential, business, commercial and industrial customers. With investments in solar, wind and nuclear power, as well as EV infrastructure, NRG is working to help America's transition to a clean energy economy. NRG Energy is a founding member of the Electrification Coalition, a nonpartisan, not-for-profit group of business leaders committed to promoting policies and actions that facilitate the deployment of electric vehicles on a mass scale. More information is available at www.nrgenergy.com.

About eVgo

eVgo is the nation's first privately funded, comprehensive electric vehicle ecosystem. The eVgo network gives EV owners new freedom and range confidence via home charging and fast-charging stations conveniently located at major retailers, employers and along highways across eVgo cities. eVgo allows EV owners to avoid paying large up-front costs for a home charger and provides unlimited use remote charging—all for one low monthly fee. To find out more, or to join the eVgo network, visit www.evgonetwork.com.

Safe Harbor Disclosure

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions and include NRG's expectations regarding the electric vehicle and electric vehicle infrastructure and forward-looking statements typically can be identified by the use of words such as "will," "expect," "believe," and similar terms. Although NRG believes that its expectations are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to have been correct, and actual results may vary materially. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated above include, among others, general economic conditions, hazards customary in the power industry, competition in wholesale power markets, the volatility of energy and fuel prices, failure of customers to perform under contracts, changes in the wholesale power markets, changes in government regulation of markets and of environmental emissions, and our ability to achieve the expected benefits and timing of our electric vehicle projects.

NRG undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The foregoing review of factors that could cause NRG's actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in the forward-looking statements included in this news release should be considered in connection with information regarding risks and uncertainties that may affect NRG's future results included in NRG's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov.

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Business › Mitsubishi Motors mini electric vehicle prices to start from Y1.7 mil

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