Apr 1 2009
Ener1, Inc. (Nasdaq: HEV), the only lithium-ion battery manufacturer with commercial-scale production facilities in the United States of automotive grade quality, today announced its membership to the newly launched Energy Systems Network (ESN), an Indiana-based consortium bringing together national energy leaders, manufacturing executives, state officials and civic leaders to create new economic opportunities and strengthen energy independence by advancing the electric drive vehicle industry.
"This is the largest and most comprehensive battery and electric vehicle consortium anywhere in the U.S. to date, encompassing all the key components of electric drive, from power plant to batteries to the crucial components of the vehicle," said Ener1 Chairman and CEO Charles Gassenheimer, who will join the ESN Board of Directors.
Paul Mitchell, former policy advisor to Governor Mitch Daniels of Indiana, will serve as President and CEO of the ESN. Joe Loughrey, former Vice-Chairman of Cummins, will chair the initiative. In addition to Gassenheimer, the ESN board includes: James E. (Jim) Rogers, Chairman and CEO, Duke Energy; Jeff Owens, President and CEO, Delphi Safety and Electronics; Mike Hudson, President, I-Power Technologies; John Waters, President and CEO, Bright Automotive; France Cordova, President, Purdue University; Thomas Snyder, President, Ivy Tech Community College; and Mark Miles, President and CEO, Central Indiana Corporate Partnership.
"Bringing together all these key elements reinforces Indiana's increasingly crucial role as pivotal player in transforming the U.S. automotive industry from gasoline to electric and hybrid power," said Snyder, who is also a Board member of Ener1. "We see a tremendous opportunity to help prepare a skilled workforce for tomorrow's careers in the clean-tech sector."
The ESN is already pursuing two significant projects: the Hoosier Heavy Hybrid Partnership, focused on bringing medium- and heavy-duty hybrid vehicles to market; and Project Plug-IN, which will integrate plug-in electric vehicles and 'smart grid' technologies for a group of central Indiana commuters in one of the nation's first large-scale pilot projects. Private and institutional investors have already pledged nearly $1.5 million to support the ESN's activities over the next two years.