Space Florida Signs Agreement With Green Car Company

SPACE FLORIDA PRESS RELEASE
June 24, 2010

Today, the Space Florida Board of Directors approved a research and development partnership with Avera Motors, a new automotive company currently located in Rockledge, Florida. The company – whose parent company has a history of advancing space-related technologies – has developed and plans U.S. manufacturing of innovative performance vehicles that are ultra-efficient, environmentally-friendly and affordable.

The Space Florida Executive Board voted to unanimously support Avera Motors demonstration of unique technologies tied to the new vehicle. As a result of this partnership, Space Florida will purchase a prototype from Avera Motors. In addition, Space Florida is currently in discussions with NASA to develop a partnership to validate the new technologies incorporated within. Vehicle delivery is slated for early November 2010.

The vehicle development and testing phase will result in approximately 25 local engineering and business management positions over the next six months.

Rockledge-based Mainstream Engineering is the parent company of Avera Motors, and has a long-standing relationship with NASA and the DoD, which has resulted in the development of numerous innovative space applications over the years. Among their past innovations, Mainstream designed and built the lightest diesel generator in the world, a vapor compression refrigeration system currently operating onboard the International Space Station, and the world’s first magnetic-bearing centrifugal compressor chiller.

“Space Florida is always interested in playing a role in the advancement and application of aerospace and space-related technologies,” says Space Florida President Frank DiBello. “We see significant progress toward this goal with Avera Motors’s development of advanced energy conservation capabilities, hybrid propulsion, alternative fuel utilization and advanced materials research tied to their new vehicle fleet. These technologies – combined with the potential of job placement for our local Shuttle workforce – make the partnership a solid fit for Space Florida.”

Space Florida’s Vision 2020 presents Clean Energy as a clear focus for the State of Florida as we explore next-generation aerospace applications. Avera Motors is a company that is employing extremely innovative methods in their vehicle manufacturing processes, as well as ultra-efficient power generation capabilities. These technologies may have the ability to transition into aerospace applications as well.

“The Avera Motors vehicle development team is very excited about our partnership with Space Florida and the potential to work with NASA on our ultra-efficient energy technology and innovative vehicle design,” says Avera Motors CEO R.J. Scaringe. “We sincerely appreciate the board’s decision to get behind Avera Motors as we change the way cars are designed, manufactured and sold in the United States.”

Avera Motors’s first vehicle is an ultra-efficient, four-passenger sports car. The company will build additional models off a shared platform and employ more than 1,100 people by 2015.  The Shuttle technical workforce is ideally suited for Avera Motors’s advanced manufacturing process. Brevard County is among several locations under consideration for final manufacturing site selection.

Space Florida and Avera Motors agree to keep proprietary and financial information confidential in accordance with Florida Statutes Chapter 288.075, and the Non Disclosure Agreement.