MONROVIA, CA - AeroVironment Inc. said it has been selected by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODoT) to install high-power Level 3 electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging stations along the I-5 corridor from the California state line to the Willamette Valley. This is the beginning of the "Green Highway," a vision for safe and consistent charging infrastructure spanning the West Coast.

The goal is to allow EV drivers to travel with confidence from San Diego to Vancouver, B.C.

AeroVironment, selected to provide charging stations for the Nissan Leaf and BMW ActiveE, will install the fast-charging stations along a 150-mile span of the I-5. The stations will be placed at convenient locations and will allow drivers to recharge their electric vehicles from a fully-discharged state in less than 30 minutes.

"Fast charging stations along high-traffic transportation corridors will help make driving electric vehicles between communities a viable option for Oregonians," said Art James, project director with the Oregon Department of Transportation.

AeroVironment will analyze driving distances, common destinations, vehicle range and other factors in its selection of the EV charging sites at eight interchanges identified by ODOT along a 150-mile segment of the I-5 in Southern Oregon.

The company is also experienced in working with utilities and will collaborate with local utilities to prepare for the deployment. The company said it anticipates installing the stations along Oregon's Green Highway by the end of this fall.

The project is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) awarded through the State Energy Program (SEP). The U.S. Department of Energy administers the funds, approves the projects and reviews the state’s progress.

In addition to 480-volt fast charging stations, AeroVironment also provides J-1772 compliant 240-volt Level 2 charging stations, installation and support services and data communications network services. More than 2,000 AeroVironment Level 2 charging stations have been installed in 21 U.S. states since late 2010.

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