PITTSBURGH … Diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation today announced a collaborative agreement to supply federal departments and agencies with electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and related installation and services equipment, through a U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) contract awarded to Autoflex, Inc. The contract is an element of the federal government's Electric Vehicle Pilot Program, a targeted investment to incorporate EVs and charging infrastructure into federal vehicle and building portfolios.

To prepare for program expansion, Eaton and veteran-owned AutoFlex engaged with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Community College of Baltimore County to create VETCARS, a pilot training and occupational program instructing veterans how to install and service EV charging infrastructure, as well as, earn a certificate to maintain new advanced battery technology. The program will also help provide employment for deserving veterans.

“This is an excellent example of how the public and private sectors can collaborate to enhance the government’s sustainability efforts,” said Jim Dankowski, manager, Marketing and Business Development, Government Sales and Solutions, Eaton. “The Electric Vehicle Pilot Program will also help stimulate small businesses and provide returning veterans with jobs in communities across the country.”

Autoflex, Inc. is a fleet industry service for transportation, energy and environmental projects, and pioneer in the market development of alternative fueled vehicles. The pilot program is designed to advance plans to cut government petroleum consumption by 30 percent and supports an executive order for the U.S. to procure one million EVs by 2015.

With more than 60 charging stations already successfully delivered, the Electric Vehicle Pilot Program is expanding beyond the original five test cities: Washington; Detroit; and Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco, Calif.

“As a ‘best value’ GSA Schedule teaming solution, our collaboration with Eaton positions our team to assist the government in achieving their internal sustainability goals while setting a precedent for the general public and creating global awareness for the fleet capability of alternative-fueled vehicles,” said Luis MacDonald, president of AutoFlex.

Autoflex, Inc., the parent company of Cleancities.com, is a pioneer in the market development of alternative fueled vehicles, offering fleet industry services for transportation, energy and environmental projects. Cleancities.com specializes in the market development of environmentally friendly clean-emission vehicles, offering turn-key leasing solutions for government agencies, commercial fleets, community planners and personal transportation. For more information, visit www.cleancities.com.

VETCARS was made possible by an agreement between the VA Maryland Health Care System and AutoFlex-Cleancities.com, in order to train and create jobs for veterans transitioning from duty. The initiative also strives to achieve the sustainability goals of the Federal Government Fleet to provide “Best Value” GSA Schedule teaming solutions and deliver electric vehicle technology in congruence with the installation of Eaton charging stations. For more information, visit www.cleancities.com/vetcars.

Eaton offers a full line of charging solutions including an AC Level 1, a Residential AC Level 2, a Commercial/Fleet AC Level 2, and a 50 kilowatt (kW) DC Quick Charger complemented by an EV Simulator for testing after installation and options for payment, access control and network management for commercial/fleet applications. With a range of charging stations currently deployed in Ontario (Canada), Pennsylvania, California, Washington, Oregon, North Carolina, South Carolina, Indiana and Illinois, Eaton is working to advance the EV charging infrastructure throughout North America, with more than 3,000 charging stations already shipped or installed. For more information, visit http://www.eaton.com/Eaton/OurCompany/NewsEvents/NewsReleases/PCT_3....

Eaton’s electrical business is a global leader in power distribution, power quality, control and automation, power monitoring, and energy management products and services. Eaton is positioned, through its Cutler-Hammer®, Moeller®, Powerware®, Holec®, MEM®, and Santak® global electrical product series, to answer today’s most critical electrical power management challenges.

Eaton Corporation is a diversified power management company with more than 100 years of experience providing energy-efficient solutions that help our customers effectively manage electrical, hydraulic and mechanical power. With 2011 sales of $16.0 billion, Eaton is a global technology leader in electrical components, systems and services for power quality, distribution and control; hydraulics components, systems and services for industrial and mobile equipment; aerospace fuel, hydraulics and pneumatic systems for commercial and military use; and truck and automotive drivetrain and powertrain systems for performance, fuel economy and safety. Eaton has approximately 72,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 150 countries. For more information, visit www.eaton.com .