Innovative retail electricity provider launches new product and announces partnership with eVgo SM in effort to drive EV adoption in Texas
Announcements coincide with eVgo’s inaugural launch of Dallas charging network
DALLAS – To further support its mission to change the way power is made, Green Mountain Energy Company today in North Texas launched Pollution FreeSM EV – the first widely available 100 percent emissions-free Texas wind-powered product designed for drivers of plug-in electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (EV). The company also announced that Green Mountain is the first Texas Retail Electric Provider (REP) to formally partner with eVgo, the nation’s first privately funded, comprehensive electric vehicle infrastructure to provide complete EV home charging and fueling solutions to its subscribers. Green Mountain, the nation’s leading competitive retail provider of cleaner energy, offers Pollution Free EV to all residential EV drivers in Texas, including eVgo customers.
“We believe that electric vehicles are an excellent choice for drivers who want to make a difference for the environment. And the key to making EVs emissions-free is to charge them with 100 percent renewable energy. Green Mountain created Pollution Free EV, to enable our Texas residential customers to power both their EVs and homes with wind, minimize their emissions, and further the development of renewable energy statewide,” said Helen Brauner, senior vice president of Marketing, Green Mountain Energy Company. “By becoming the first electricity provider in Texas to develop a pollution-free electricity product specifically for EV drivers, we are encouraging and facilitating the early adoption of plug-in electric vehicles, while continuing to change the way power is made.”
Jim Payne, a Lewisville, Texas homeowner, who recently ordered a Nissan Leaf EV, will become Green Mountain’s first North Texas Pollution Free EV customer. Mr. Payne, will also become one of the state’s first drivers of a 100 percent emissions-free Texas-wind powered electric vehicle when he receives his new Nissan Leaf in early summer. The clean energy to power Mr. Payne’s home charging station as well as the rest of his house will be provided by Green Mountain. Additionally, he will become an eVgo customer and receive the eVgo charging station and access to the network of extremely fast public charging stations eVgo is installing throughout North Texas. Mr. Payne will be able to travel with complete range confidence for a single low monthly cost.
“The idea of knowing that I will soon drive an electric vehicle that’s being charged with electricity generated from 100% wind power is the ultimate sweet spot for me,” said Jim Payne, who has been a Green Mountain customer for about nine years. “I will now be able to drive a 100 percent wind-powered electric vehicle and be able to charge it from home through my eVgo charging station. Not only will my house be powered by wind, but my car will be too.”
Pollution FreeSM EV
Pollution Free EV, Green Mountain’s newest 100% pollution-free product generated solely from Texas wind, was created to encourage the use of EVs. It is a Reliable Rate product that guarantees customers who drive an EV a special rate for 12 months. Pollution Free EV is now available to any residential customer in Texas’ competitive electric market, including any existing Green Mountain customer, whose primary vehicle is a plug-in electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. To demonstrate eligibility the customer must provide a valid copy of their auto insurance showing that they currently drive an EV. To learn more about Green Mountain Pollution Free EV, visit www.greenmountain.com/EV or call Green Mountain at 1.866.301.3120.
eVgo
By becoming the first Texas REP to partner with eVgo, Green Mountain is offering Texas EV drivers the first complete home charging and fueling solution in Texas. When a customer signs up for eVgo’s Complete Solution, they will receive a Smart Home Charging Dock, which enables customers to charge their EV or plug-in hybrid at home:
- It communicates with the grid and turns drivers’ homes into grid-connected smart charging hubs.
- It is covered by a three-year service agreement.
- Its 240 volt AC power provides up to 24 miles of range for every hour it is plugged in. Typical drivers can easily charge their cars overnight at home.
- It is a doorway to a network of charging stations conveniently located across Houston and, in time, the entire Texas Triangle.
“eVgo is focused on building an electric vehicle infrastructure that provides the range confidence needed to enable widespread electric vehicle adoption, help clean the air we breathe and give us greater independence from foreign oil,” said Arun Banskota, President of NRG Energy’s Electric Vehicle Services group that is building the eVgo ecosystem. “We are excited to have Green Mountain be the first REP to officially join eVgo in promoting the adoption of EVs.”
eVgo commenced operations of its EV charging network in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex today with the inauguration of the first privately funded, eVgosm (ee-vee-go) Freedom Station in Texas, including the first high-speed direct current (DC) charger in Texas which is among only a very few in the nation. NRG plans to install a total of 70 Freedom Stations in Dallas/Fort Worth and 50 in Houston by the end of 2012 with half in place by this summer. NRG also plans to electrify the Interstate 45 corridor connecting them in 2012.
“We are excited to be the first electricity provider in Texas to partner with eVgo and to offer customers a variety of options to fit their needs including a complete home charging and fueling solution for their electric vehicles,” added Brauner. “We want to make driving and charging an EV as easy as possible for customers, while enabling EV drivers to power both their homes and EVs with Texas wind.”
About eVgo
eVgo, which is owned by NRG Energy, Inc., is creating the nation’s first comprehensive, privately-funded, competitive, and sustainable electric vehicle ecosystem of home charging stations and high-powered, fast charging stations strategically placed at retailers and work places across an eVgo city to give electric vehicle drivers complete range confidence and convenience. eVgo has developed a comprehensive charging solution that is ideally suited for its customers and designed to make the use of electric vehicles convenient and easy in eVgo cities For more information about eVgo, visit evgonetwork.com.
About Green Mountain Energy Company
Green Mountain, the nation’s leading competitive retail provider of cleaner energy and carbon offset solutions, was founded in 1997 “to change the way power is made.” The company is the longest serving green power marketer in the United States. Green Mountain offers consumers and businesses the choice of cleaner electricity products from renewable sources, such as wind, as well as a variety of carbon offset products. Green Mountain’s largest customer is the “world’s most famous office building,” the Empire State Building in New York City. Green Mountain customers have collectively helped avoid over 11.3 billion pounds of CO2 emissions. As a wholly owned subsidiary of NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NRG), Green Mountain is backed by one of the nation’s largest renewable power producers. For more information, visit GreenMountain.com.
