ECOtality’s eTec Awarded $8 Million From California Energy Commission to Support Largest-Ever Transportation Electrification Project

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Electric Transportation Engineering Corporation (eTec), a subsidiary of ECOtality, Inc. (OTCBB:ETLY), a leader in the clean electric transportation and storage technologies, announced today it has been awarded an estimated $8 million from the California Energy Commission to support the deployment of charge infrastructure and electric vehicles (EVs) in the San Diego region as part of its “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 Cost Share: Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program.”

“As eTec’s proposed project to the U.S. Department of Energy is anticipated to deploy up to 2,550 charging stations in the San Diego area, this additional funding from the California Energy Commission will allow for a substantial increase in the amount of charge infrastructure deployed in the region”

“As eTec’s proposed project to the U.S. Department of Energy is anticipated to deploy up to 2,550 charging stations in the San Diego area, this additional funding from the California Energy Commission will allow for a substantial increase in the amount of charge infrastructure deployed in the region,” said Don Karner, president, eTec. “We’d like to thank the California Energy Commission and the State of California for their support of the largest transportation electrification project ever and commend their strategic foresight in positioning California as a leader in electric transportation.”

The California Energy Commission awarded funds to projects that successfully received federal funds from the U.S. Department of Energy’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) Transportation Electrification Funding Opportunity Announcement. On August 5, 2009 ECOtality’s eTec was awarded $99.8 million from the U.S. Department of Energy to implement the largest deployment of electric vehicles (EVs) and charging infrastructure in U.S. history.

In eTec’s proposed project to the U.S. Department of Energy, eTec is partnering with Nissan North America to deploy up to 5,000 Nissan LEAF EVs and approximately 12,750 charging stations throughout five states: Arizona, California, Oregon, Tennessee and Washington. The project will collect and analyze data characterizing vehicle use and charging patterns in diverse topographies and climate conditions, evaluate the effectiveness of charge infrastructure, and conduct trials of various revenue systems for public charge infrastructure. By testing and analyzing electric vehicle usage and charging patterns in a simulated mature charging environment, this project will foster the expansion of EV infrastructure that will be available for widespread EV use throughout the country.

“The California Energy Commission award affirms the position of the State of California at the forefront of the electric transportation evolution and ensures that the San Diego region will have one of the most advanced EV charging infrastructures in the world,” said Jonathan Read, president and CEO, ECOtality. “As the eTec project undertakes to make America EV ready, stimulate job creation and enhance our energy independence, this additional funding will help us achieve these important objectives.”

Regional project partner, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), will play an important role in the eTec project by evaluating demand and energy impacts of EVs on the electric grid, potential electric vehicle rate structures, smart grid interconnection requirements, distribution grid impacts of EV charging demand and provide consumer education in the San Diego area.

“As a strategic partner on the eTec project, we’d like to thank the California Energy Commission for its funding award to the transportation electrification project,” said Debra L. Reed, president and chief executive officer of San Diego Gas & Electric. “With this award, we now have the resources available to make the San Diego region first in the nation when it comes to truly being plug-in ready for electric transportation."

In the San Diego region, partners for eTec’s proposed project include San Diego Gas & Electric, San Diego Associations of Governments (SANDAG), San Diego Clean Fuels Coalition, San Diego Miramar College, Center for Sustainable Energy and American Lung Association (CA).

For more information about the California Energy Commission Notice of Proposed Award, please visit: http://www.energy.ca.gov/contracts/PON-08-010_NOPA.PDF. The final award amount may vary and is subject to ongoing contract negotiations with the California Energy Commission and the U.S. Department of Energy.

About eTec

Electric Transportation Engineering Corporation (eTec), a subsidiary of ECOtality, is a recognized leader in the research, development and testing of advanced transportation and energy systems. With over two decades of electric transportation experience, eTec has been involved in every electric vehicle initiative in North America since the 1990’s. Utilizing its patented industry-leading charging algorithm, eTec operates the Minit-Charger line of battery fast charge systems for on-road electric vehicle, transit, material handling and airport ground support applications. For more information, please visit www.etecevs.com or www.minit-charger.com.

About ECOtality, Inc.

ECOtality, Inc. (OTCBB:ETLY), headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, is a leader in clean electric transportation and storage technologies. Through innovation, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships, ECOtality accelerates the market applicability of advanced electric technologies to replace carbon-based fuels. For more information about ECOtality, Inc. please visit www.ecotality.com.

About San Diego Gas & Electric

SDG&E is a regulated public utility that provides safe and reliable energy service to 3.4 million consumers through 1.4 million electric meters and more than 840,000 natural gas meters in San Diego and southern Orange counties. The utility’s area spans 4,100 square miles. Exceptional customer service is a priority of SDG&E as it seeks to enhance the region’s quality of life. SDG&E is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE), a Fortune 500 energy services holding company based in San Diego.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain as they are based on current expectations and assumptions concerning future events or future performance of the company. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are only predictions and speak only as of the date hereof. In evaluating such statements, prospective investors should review carefully various risks and uncertainties identified in this release and matters set in the Company’s SEC filings. These risks and uncertainties could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6039067&lang=en