CarCharging Appoints Former Secretary of the United States Department of Energy and Ambassador to the United Nations, and Former New Mexico Governor, Bill Richardson, as Chairman of its Board of Directors

Car Charging Group, Inc. (“CarCharging”), a nationwide provider of convenient electric vehicle (EV) charging services, announced today the appointment of former Secretary of the United States Department of Energy, former Ambassador to the United Nations, and former Governor of New Mexico, Bill Richardson, as the Chairman of its Board of Directors.  Bill Richardson recently completed his second term as Governor of New Mexico, where in 2006, he was re-elected by the largest margin of victory for any Governor in state history.

Governor Richardson made New Mexico the “Clean Energy State” by requiring utilities to meet 20% of New Mexico’s electrical demand from renewable sources, and established a Renewable Energy Transmission Authority to deliver New Mexico’s world-class renewable resources to market. Prior to serving as Governor, Richardson had a very successful career in public service and has been nominated several times for the Nobel Peace Prize. Prior to being elected Governor, Richardson served as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy; U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and 15 years as a New Mexico Congressman representing the 3rd Congressional District.

“We are delighted to welcome Governor Bill Richardson as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of CarCharging,” said Michael D. Farkas, CEO of CarCharging. “EVs have made tremendous strides since their launch. EV sales have outpaced sales of traditional hybrids during the first two years of their respective launch periods, and 2012 EV sales, not including December, are more than 250% greater than 2011 sales. To support the development of EV charging infrastructure, we believe that there should be a partnership between business and government, and we are confident that the Governor’s vision, leadership, and experience will provide a bridge between these sectors.”

“I am pleased to join CarCharging’s Board and to serve as their Chairman,” said Governor Bill Richardson.  “CarCharging has outpaced all others in their field and I look forward to working with this industry pioneer in hopes to accelerate the development of EV charging infrastructure and to reduce the nation’s dependence on fossil fuels.”

Governor Richardson currently serves as Senior Fellow for Latin America at Rice University’s James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy, and participates on several non-profit and for-profit boards including Abengoa’s International Advisory Board, the fifth largest biofuels producer in the U.S., WRI World Resources Institute, and the National Council for Science and the Environment.

Jason Lyons, Chairman of Lyons Capital, LLC, facilitated the introduction between CarCharging and Mr. Richardson.