AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (Nasdaq: AVAV) and NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NRG) are working together to build an extensive electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the Houston and Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) regions.
The privately funded, comprehensive eVgosm electric vehicle (EV) charging "ecosystem" is an extension of an initiative already launched in Houston.
The Dallas/Fort Worth region is the fourth-largest metropolitan area by population in America.
The ecosystem is an integrated network of charging products, services and payment plans that helps make EVs practical for drivers. NRG selected AeroVironment to provide home and public charging systems, installation services, energy usage monitoring and payment and subscription solutions in support of the Houston and DFW ecosystems.
In addition to supplying, installing and supporting smart home and public charging stations, AeroVironment will also provide the integrated data collection, communication and analysis systems that will power NRG's eVgo network. NRG Energy plans to install a total of 70 "Freedom Stations" in the DFW area by the end of 2012, 35 of which are scheduled for installation by the end of 2011.
Freedom Stations comprise one EVSE-CS and one EV50-PS, a DC fast charging system that can fully recharge an EV in minutes. The eVgo charging network will give DFW's EV drivers ready access to charging stations along major freeways, in key shopping and business districts, at popular retailers and in multi-family community and workplace parking areas.
AeroVironment has already begun installing charging stations in Houston and expects to install 25 Freedom stations by the end of summer 2011.
