Mitsubishi Motors and NRG Energy Team Up to Improve Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure in Texas
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) and NRG Energy, Inc. 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.
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 480Vdc fast charger that can add 30 miles of range in as little as 10 minutes and a 240V 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 240V 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."
