MORRISVILLE, N.C., Feb. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – Evatran™, the developer of Plugless Power wireless recharging equipment for electric vehicles, will host a Launch Event for its Apollo Program February 23 to increase awareness and demonstrate the capabilities of wireless charging for electric vehicles. Hosted by Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell, the event will be held at 1111 East Broad Street from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The Apollo Launch Program is an initiative started by Evatran to increase awareness of wireless charging technology. Through partnership with five electric vehicle industry leaders including Duke Energy, Clemson University’s International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR), and Hertz, the Program follows participants as they trial wireless charging technology on their own electric vehicles. Participants will test the wireless technology at their locations across the country for three months and provide feedback to Evatran. Installations focus on commercial partners who have the Nissan LEAF or Chevrolet Volt in their fleets. Evatran is working with Yazaki North America™, a Tier 1 automotive supplier, to develop the prototypes for the trial.

The event will include comments from the Governor, announcement of the final set of Apollo Program participants, and a demonstration of the wireless charging technology on a Nissan LEAF. Attendees will also have the opportunity to test drive electric vehicles.

Thomas Hough, chief executive officer of Evatran, commented, “This is an important moment in time for the electric vehicle. We believe that the widespread adoption of these cars requires enabling technologies, like Plugless Power, to come to market.” He continued, “Bringing these technologies to all electric vehicle owners, however, requires industry leaders to step forward to trial prototypes – we are excited to celebrate the involvement of these partners during our Apollo Launch Event.”

Evatran welcomes all attendees and encourages RSVPs to info@evatran.com. The inclement weather location for the event will be just inside the building at the same address. Visit the company’s website for additional details.

About Evatran
Plugless Power™, developed by Evatran™, is the first electric vehicle (EV) charging system on the market to offer customers a simple way to charge their EVs with the ease of wireless technology. In addition to aftermarket distribution, Evatran is currently working with automotive manufacturers to integrate the Plugless Power technology into mass-market EVs and signed a Joint Development Agreement with Yazaki North America, a major Tier 1 automotive supplier in May 2011. The company signed an installation agreement with Sears Home Services in December 2011 to support the installation of Plugless Power systems nationwide. The Apollo Launch Program, an initiative started by Evatran in 2012, follows industry leaders such as Duke Energy, Clemson University, and Hertz, as they trial the Plugless Power technology on their own EVs. To learn more about Plugless Power or to reserve a wireless charging system for your own EV, visit www.pluglesspower.com.

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PARK RIDGE, N.J., Feb. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – The Hertz Corporation (NYSE: HTZ) and Hertz Global EV are implementing the first wireless charging system for electric vehicles (EVs) in the car rental industry.  Hertz has the most diverse fleet of EVs for both rental and carshare.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110810/NY50373LOGO )

“Hertz is committed to its Global EV program, introducing electric vehicles into our rental fleet on three continents – North America, Asia and Europe,” commented Mark P. Frissora, Hertz Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.  “We’re excited to participate in Plugless Power’s pilot program so that we can be on the ground floor of this new technology; learning key findings about EV wireless charging.  As we move forward our goal is to have a variety of charging options for EV customer use, aligned with the charging equipment installed by EV manufacturers.”

The trial, the first of its kind in the world, will help to establish the United States as the EV market leader.  The trial will follow Hertz, and leaders from five other industry segments, as they trial Plugless Power systems on their own electric vehicles. Participants will provide feedback on daily usage routines, user interfaces, and any additional functionality needed.  The Plugless Power system is supplied by Evatran based in Virginia.

Installation at Hertz’s corporate headquarters will be completed in February 2012.

Hertz is the first car-rental company to deploy EVs and PHEVs (plug-in hybrid electric) on three continents — in the U.S. (available to the public in New York, Washington, D.C. and San Francisco), the U.K. (available in London), and China (available in Shanghai).  As the world’s largest airport general-use car-rental brand, Hertz is introducing multiple groups of consumers – urban drivers, university students, travelers and corporations – to all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. As a result, the company is forming partnerships with automakers, charging-station providers (e.g., GE), municipalities, non-governmental organizations, corporations and other stakeholders to make EVs easily accessible to consumers.

Hertz plans to increase its global EV presence by deploying vehicles in other countries in the coming months. Hertz Global EV will continue to leverage the company’s rental and car sharing locations as bases for vehicles and charging stations, and tap into its technology – including sophisticated fleet management tools and consumer-facing GPS systems, including Hertz NeverLost in the U.S. – to help form an EV grid.

Plugless Power™, developed by Evatran™, is the first electric vehicle (EV) charging system on the market to offer customers a simple way to charge their EVs with the ease of hands-free technology. Utilizing inductive power transfer, which has been used in electrical transformers for more than 100 years, Plugless Power streamlines the charging of electric vehicles by eliminating the cord and the plug. In addition to aftermarket distribution, Evatran is currently working with automotive manufacturers to integrate the Plugless Power technology into mass-market EVs as a factory or dealership option. For more information, visit www.pluglesspower.com.

About Hertz
The Hertz Corporation — a subsidiary of Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. — is the world’s largest general use car rental brand, operating from approximately 8,000 locations in approximately 150 countries worldwide. Hertz is the number one airport car rental brand in the U.S. and at 94 major airports in Europe, operating both corporate and licensee locations in cities and airports in North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. In addition, the Company has licensee locations in cities and airports in Africa and the Middle East. Product and service initiatives such as Hertz #1 Club Gold(R), NeverLost(R) customized, onboard navigation systems, SIRIUS XM Satellite Radio, and unique cars and SUVs offered through the Company’s Adrenaline and Green Traveler Collections, set Hertz apart from the competition. In 2008, the Company entered the global car sharing market in London, New York City and Paris. Hertz also operates one of the world’s largest equipment rental businesses, Hertz Equipment Rental Corporation, offering a diverse line of equipment, including tools and supplies, as well as new and used equipment for sale, to customers ranging from major industrial companies to local contractors and consumers from approximately 320 branches in the United States, Canada, France, Spain, Italy, China and Saudi Arabia, as well as through its international licensees.

To make car rental reservations or for more information, customers can call their travel agent, or call Hertz toll-free at 1-800-654-3131. Information and reservations are also available on the web at www.hertz.com.

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“We think this takes E.V. charging to the next level,” Paula Rivera, a spokeswoman for Hertz, said in a telephone interview. “We’re happy to be in on the ground floor.”

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GREENVILLE, S.C., Feb. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – Clemson University’s International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR) announced today that it will participate in the 2012 Apollo Launch Program hosted by Evatran™, the developer of Plugless Power wireless electric vehicle recharging systems. The Apollo Program aims to encourage electric vehicle adoption across the United States through the launch of a convenient recharging alternative to the repetitive plug-in, unplug process.

The Plugless Power system allows a user to avoid the plug-in process traditionally required by electric vehicles (EV). The wireless system provides the driver with parking guidance upon approach and automatically begins charging once the vehicle is in position. When the driver is ready to depart, the system automatically discontinues the recharging process.

Clemson University, as one of the Department of Energy’s GATE Centers of Excellence, is participating in the Program to research technologies that may influence the development of advanced drivetrains and electric mobility as a whole. CU-ICAR is actively developing a portfolio of research activities and services around the ecosystems for sustainable mobility and the networked vehicle. To that end, Clemson University is also collaborating with Duke Energy, another Apollo Program participant, to understand how electric vehicles may interface with the electrical grid.

“The Apollo Program fits perfectly with CU-ICAR’s efforts in a holistic view of alternative power train solutions and their infrastructure implications,” said Dr. Joachim Taiber, Research Professor at Clemson University’s International Center for Automotive Research. “We are very pleased to be part of the trial and are confident the Program will lead to significant advances in understanding key aspects of wireless infrastructure.”

Additional partners will be announced at the Apollo Launch Event scheduled for February 23rd, 2012 in Richmond, Virginia with installations beginning in March 2012. Once installed, the participants will trial the wireless charging systems for three months and provide feedback on usage and features. More information on the Apollo Program can be found on Evatran’s website.

About Clemson University’s International Center for Automotive Research

Clemson University’s International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR) is a 250-acre advanced-technology research campus where university, industry and government organizations collaborate. CU-ICAR offers Masters and PhD programs in Automotive Engineering and is conducting leading-edge applied research in critical areas such as advanced product development strategies, sustainable mobility, intelligent manufacturing systems and advanced materials.

CU-ICAR has industrial-scale laboratories and testing equipment in world-class facilities available for commercial use as well as a comprehensive computational center, dedicated to solving clients industrial problems, and backed by a massive high-performance computing infrastructure.

About the Apollo Trial Program

The Apollo Trial Program is an initiative started by Evatran™, the developer of Plugless Power™ wireless recharging technology, to encourage electric vehicle (EV) adoption. Through partnership with five electric vehicle industry leaders from various market segments including Duke Energy and Clemson, the Program aims to increase awareness of wireless charging technology by setting up prototype trials across the country. Installations focus on commercial partners with Nissan Leafs or Chevrolet Volts in their fleets and Evatran is working with Yazaki North America™, a Tier 1 automotive supplier, to develop the prototypes for the trial. To learn more about the Apollo Trial Program or to reserve a wireless charging system for your own EV, visit www.pluglesspower.com.

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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Suzanne Dickerson
sdicker@clemson.edu

MORRISVILLE, N.C., Jan. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Evatran, the developer of Plugless Power wireless charging systems for electric vehicles, announced today that it has opened a satellite office in the Research Triangle Park area outside of Raleigh, North Carolina. The area, which is known as a major hub for engineering talent and entrepreneurial activity, will house the company’s Sales and Engineering teams. The new space, located at 1100 Perimeter Park, will also allow the company to establish an Advanced Research and Development center. The company will maintain its headquarters and manufacturing functions in Wytheville, Virginia.

The company develops advanced technologies for the recharging of electric vehicles like the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf currently available in the market. The company was founded in 2009 as a wholly owned subsidiary of MTC Transformers™, a custom manufacturer of electrical transformers. Since that time, the company has been spun out from MTC and has established commercial relationships with Yazaki North America, a Tier 1 automotive supplier, and Sears Home Services, the leading provider of appliance installation services across the nation, in order to commercialize its wireless recharging technology, Plugless Power.

Timothy Briggs, CFO of Evatran, communicated the company’s excitement for this opening: “We are thrilled to open this satellite office in Research Triangle Park. The Raleigh area has been my home for over 24 years and I am pleased to introduce Evatran to the area. As we continue to build Evatran as a clean technology company, we look forward to setting up relationships with customers and vendors in the area as we establish ourselves as a leader in the wireless charging market.”

The office will welcome visitors during its Open House, scheduled for February 2nd, 2012 from 7:00 – 8:30p at 1100 Perimeter Park Drive Suite #114.

About Evatran

Plugless Power™, developed by Evatran™, is the first electric vehicle (EV) charging system on the market to offer customers a simple way to charge their EVs with the ease of wireless technology. In addition to aftermarket distribution, Evatran is currently working with automotive manufacturers to integrate the Plugless Power technology into mass-market EVs and signed a Joint Development Agreement with Yazaki North America, a major Tier 1 automotive supplier in May 2011. The company signed an installation agreement with Sears Home Services in December 2011 to support the installation of Plugless Power systems nationwide. To learn more about Plugless Power or to reserve a wireless charging system for your own EV, visit www.pluglesspower.com.

SOURCE Evatran

ORIGINAL POST HERE

WYTHEVILLE, Va., Dec. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire — Evatran today announced that it has opened its online Plugless Power product reservation system and is offering a $150 rebate card, which can be used to cover up to six months of electricity to recharge customers’ vehicles, as an incentive to encourage advanced reservations. The Preferred Customer Group will allow Evatran to understand its focus areas for product rollout and follows the recent news of the installation partnership with Sears Home Services(TM). The incentive is open to the first 500 Nissan Leaf or Chevrolet Volt reservations, and joining the Preferred Customer Group by reserving a system requires no upfront financial commitment.

The Plugless Power system allows a user to avoid the repetitive plug in and unplug process traditionally required by electric vehicle (EV) ownership. Instead, the recharging process involves a driver simply pulling into his regular parking space or garage. The wireless system automatically begins charging based on the vehicle’s requirements, which are communicated to the charging station over a wireless interface that mimics the corded SAE J1772 standard.

To use the system, the user must have his EV equipped with a small vehicle adapter that is mounted on the undercarriage of the car and is wired directly into the vehicle’s existing on-board battery charger. Although the vehicle is equipped for wireless charging, it retains its ability to recharge via corded options, as well. Retailers that will offer vehicle adapter installation services will be released in 2012.

No financial commitment is required for the reservation of a system, and the incentive will continue until the Preferred Customer Group reaches 500 Nissan Leaf or Chevy Volt owners. The first 500 names on the reservation list will receive a rebate card for $150 – the average electricity cost per mile across the United States ($.03/mile) for an average six-month mileage rate of 5,000 miles. The Preferred Customers will receive their rebate card when they complete the purchase process for their Plugless Power system later in 2012.

“With our online product reservation system opened, we can support our customers’ electric vehicle purchases by allowing them to reserve a convenient recharging system online,” said Rebecca Hough, COO of Evatran. “Come 2012, we will begin filling these reservations and our customers will have the added convenience of sending us their electricity bill for the first six months.”

Reservations for the wireless charging system will be filled starting in third quarter 2012 for Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt models. A specific geographic rollout plan will be announced later in 2012 based on responses to Evatran’s reservation system.

For additional incentive details and restrictions, please visit the Plugless Power reservation system on the company’s website.

About Evatran
Plugless Power(TM), developed by Evatran(TM), is the first electric vehicle (EV) charging system on the market to offer customers a simple way to charge their EVs with the ease of hands-free technology. Utilizing inductive power transfer, which has been used in electrical transformers for more than 100 years, Plugless Power streamlines the charging of electric vehicles by eliminating the cord and the plug. In addition to aftermarket distribution, Evatran is currently working with automotive manufacturers to integrate the Plugless Power technology into mass-market EVs and signed a Joint Development Agreement with Yazaki North America, a major Tier 1 automotive supplier in May 2011. For more information, visit www.pluglesspower.com.

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WYTHEVILLE, Va., Dec. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Sears Home Services, the residential and commercial installation arm of Sears Holdings, today announced its installation agreement with Evatran, the leading developer of wireless charging systems for electric vehicles. This agreement ensures that purchasers of the Plugless Power system will have access to reliable home and commercial equipment installation through a brand they trust.

Plugless Power systems, which offer the ultimate in convenience and simplicity, recharge electric vehicles (EVs) as quickly as traditional corded options and require the same electrical installation inside a customer’s home. Sears Home Service’s long history in completing appliance, HVAC and electronics installations ensures that each Plugless Power system is installed with the highest regard to user safety and convenience.

Benefits offered to Plugless Power customers through the agreement include:

• Simplified Purchasing: Evatran will offer Plugless Power systems with optional basic or standard home installation wrapped into the purchase price of the equipment; this full price may be included in the vehicle purchase or lease at the time of sale.
• Pre-Installation Site Visits: Site visits, as necessary to quote non-standard and commercial installations, will be completed in advance of installations.
• Timely Installation: Sears will receive automatic notification of a customer’s installation request; Sears will contact the customer within one business day of equipment purchase to schedule home installation.
• Convenient Additional Services: Sears will offer ongoing service and maintenance to Plugless Power owners.

Sears installation network technicians will be trained and certified on the wireless charging systems and will work with Evatran to structure a comprehensive launch plan for aftermarket systems throughout 2012. Product offerings will initially focus on Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf models but will quickly expand to include additional electric vehicles. Installation will be offered with the sale of each Plugless Power system and priced based on the customer’s home and current electrical service. Sears will also offer commercial installation for electric vehicle fleet owners and managers.

“Sears is very excited to announce this agreement with Evatran to support the installation and servicing of these stations. Sears’ unparalleled commitment to our customers and many quality service offerings make us a natural fit to facilitate this progressive technology. We look forward to being one of the leaders in this growing industry,” stated Stu Reed, SVP and President, Home Services at Sears Holdings.

Aftermarket systems will be available for installation starting in 2012 for Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt models. A specific geographic rollout plan will be announced next year with final installation pricing for basic and standard home installations.

Timothy Briggs, CFO of Evatran, communicated the company’s excitement for this announcement: “This agreement allows Evatran to deliver on our vision of enabling electric vehicle adoption through the continued focus on making our customers’ lives easier. With each Plugless Power system purchase, our customers can feel confident they will receive timely service and quality workmanship from a company they have trusted with their home installations for years.”

About Evatran

Plugless Power™, developed by Evatran™, is the first electric vehicle (EV) charging system on the market to offer customers a simple way to charge their EVs with the ease of hands-free technology. Utilizing inductive power transfer, which has been used in electrical transformers for more than 100 years, Plugless Power streamlines the charging of electric vehicles by eliminating the cord and the plug. In addition to aftermarket distribution, Evatran is currently working with automotive manufacturers to integrate the Plugless Power technology into mass-market EVs and signed a Joint Development Agreement with Yazaki North America, a major Tier 1 automotive supplier in May 2011. For more information, visit www.pluglesspower.com.

About Sears Roebuck and Co.

Sears, Roebuck and Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD), is a leading broadline retailer providing merchandise and related services. Sears, Roebuck offers its wide range of home merchandise, apparel and automotive products and services through more than 2,700 Sears-branded and affiliated stores in the United States and Canada, which includes over 890 Full-line and more than 1,350 specialty stores in the U.S. Sears, Roebuck also offers a variety of merchandise and services through sears.com, landsend.com, and specialty catalogs. Sears, Roebuck offers consumers leading proprietary brands including Kenmore, Craftsman, DieHard and Lands’ End — among the most trusted and preferred brands in the U.S. Sears, Roebuck is the 2011 ENERGY STAR® Retail Partner of the Year. The company is the nation’s largest provider of home services, with more than 11 million service calls made annually. For more information, visit the Sears, Roebuck website at www.sears.com or the Sears Holdings Corporation website at www.searsholdings.com.

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WYTHEVILLE, Va., Dec. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Evatran, the leading developer of wireless charging systems for electric vehicles, has signed contracts with six high-profile commercial participants to outfit their Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf models with pre-production Plugless Power wireless charging systems. The product trial, termed the Apollo Launch Program, aims to drive electric vehicle (EV) adoption across the United States through the launch of a convenient charging system for electric vehicles that removes the traditional hassles of plug-in cars. This trial, the first of its kind in the world, will help to establish the United States as the EV market leader.

Building on Evatran’s first product trials around its Headquarters in Wytheville, Virginia and its prototype installation at Google’s Mountain View campus in early 2011, this Program will follow market leaders from six industry segments as they trial Plugless Power systems on their own Volt and Leaf vehicles. Participants range from car rental agencies to corporate campuses to utility providers and installations will occur in locations across the United States. Participants will be asked to provide feedback on daily usage routines, user interfaces, and any additional functionality needed. This Program will culminate in a body of feedback for Evatran to incorporate into the production design of its aftermarket product line, launching towards the end of 2012.

Announcements regarding the participants of the Apollo Launch Program are planned for early January with installations beginning in February 2012. A second phase of the Program is planned for the third quarter of 2012 to include additional participants across the country.

“The Apollo Launch Program builds off Evatran’s early prototype trials and provides evidence of the strong demand for a convenient recharging option for electric vehicles,” said Tom Hough, co-founder and CEO of Plugless Power. “The commitment shown by these industry leaders truly establishes them as electric vehicle advocates who are dedicated to encouraging electric vehicle adoption across the country.”

According to Hough, this trial is an important step in bringing the technology to individual EV owners, as well. Evatran is planning additional initiatives in 2012 to reach EV owners across the country and allow them to experience the ease of hands-free charging technology on their own cars. Hough said, “We want to show the world that the repetitive plug-in, unplug process doesn’t have to be part of EV ownership; we want to tell the market that a better option is on the way.”

Evatran and Yazaki North America have a Joint Development Agreement to develop and market Plugless Power technology to automotive manufacturers as a factory or dealership option. With joint resources, Evatran and Yazaki are developing the hands-free charging system to be used in residential, commercial, and industrial applications.

About Evatran

Plugless Power™, developed by Evatran™, is the first electric vehicle (EV) charging system on the market to offer customers a simple way to charge their EVs with the ease of hands-free technology. Utilizing inductive power transfer, which has been used in electrical transformers for more than 100 years, Plugless Power streamlines the charging of electric vehicles by eliminating the cord and the plug. In addition to aftermarket distribution, Evatran is currently working with automotive manufacturers to integrate the Plugless Power technology into mass-market EVs as a factory or dealership option. For more information, visit www.pluglesspower.com.

About Yazaki

Yazaki Corporation is a global leader in the research, development and delivery of vehicle power and data solutions for vehicle applications. Yazaki produces electrical distribution systems, Vehicle Information Products, solid-state power centers, connection systems and electronics. Worldwide, the company employs nearly 200,000 people in 39 countries. Yazaki has been committed to the preservation of the environment for over 70 years. The company continues this commitment today through the development of advanced electric components for hybrid electric vehicles, the promotion of recycling and the efficient use of resources. For more information about Yazaki North America, Inc. and its vision for a greener tomorrow, log onto www.yazaki-na.com.

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Article Highlights

Evatran is looking “to show that the inconvenience of the plug-in, unplug process does not have to be an impediment to widespread electric vehicle (EV) adoption.”

“The technology transfers up to 3.3kW of power, the level required by most electric vehicle models, at efficiencies above 90%, ensuring that vehicles recharge as quickly as with traditional plug-in methods.”

“The biggest technical challenge for Evatran, and the industry as a whole, is making the correct call on trade-offs. For Evatran specifically, as we are focusing solely on the automotive application, it is extremely important to limit the weight and volume of on-board components to allow for an easy integration for automotive manufacturers.”

Make sure to look for comments on Evatran’s Field Trial Program launching in the coming months with a six different commercial Launch Partners.

“Things aren’t done quite yet. To get the product from the testing phase into customer hands, a trial phase is now starting, and the company is looking for 8-12 fleet Chevy Volts to have their cars converted by the end of the year. This will expand to 20-30 more units in January with the target for production units some time later in 2012.”

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