Walgreens and Car Charging Group Expand Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Services in Orlando and Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida

Companies Plan to Broaden Access to EV Charging Stations Across More Cities in Florida and Other States

MIAMI BEACH, Fla., ORLANDO, Fla. and TAMPA/ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., April 16, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Walgreens (NYSE:WAG) (Nasdaq:WAG) and Car Charging Group, Inc. (OTCBB:CCGI), a nationwide provider of convenient electric vehicle (EV) charging services, have expanded EV charging services to 13 Walgreens locations in Orlando and Tampa/St. Petersburg, Fla. Walgreens is fast becoming a destination site for EV drivers seeking to top off their battery while shopping or commuting. The deployment of convenient and accessible EV charging stations in communities along major commuter routes helps eliminate range anxiety and helps foster the EV revolution. 

The two companies plan to broaden their EV charging services with more locations in major metropolitan cities in Florida as well as in other cities including Phoenix, Arizona; Akron, Canton and Columbus, Ohio; and Austin, Texas. 

"Environmental sustainability is part of Walgreens commitment to help our customers live well, stay well and get well," said Walgreens market vice president Marlin Hutchens. "As more people choose greener, healthier lifestyles, we are excited to work with Car Charging Group to expand convenient EV charging options in the Orlando and Tampa/St. Petersburg areas as well as in several new states and markets to come."

"Walgreens dedication to the EV movement is unmatched by any other major retailer," said Michael D. Farkas, Chief Executive Officer of Car Charging Group, Inc. "Walgreens stores are ideal locations for EV drivers to top-off their batteries while shopping. Walgreens commitment to providing EV charging services to its customers nationwide is a testament to its support of environmental sustainability and of electric vehicle use."

Car Charging Group has installed its fast charging stations at multiple Walgreens locations in Orlando and in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area, further supporting its ability to provide EV charging services where people live, work and play. Usage of these EV charging stations continues to grow as more and more drivers become aware of EV services at Walgreens stores. 

Electric vehicles already on the market include the Nissan Leaf, the Chevy Volt and the BMW ActiveE.  EV drivers will soon be able to purchase from a wider variety of cars including the Ford Focus electric which should start shipping next month, as well as the Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid, the Honda Fit EV, and the Tesla Model S that are forecasted to be due out in June.

Car Charging Group installs fast EV charging stations, known as Level II, which provide 240 volts with 32 amps of power, in order to quickly refuel an electric vehicle's battery. The EV charging stations utilize the standard SAE J1772™ connector widely adopted by nearly all automobile manufacturers. 

Once an EV driver registers and creates a CarCharging account, they will receive a very small RFID card that attaches to their keychain simplifying usage and payment of every intelligent CarCharging station.   Users can pinpoint exact station locations using the CarCharging map at http://www.carcharging.com/. The ChargePoint® mobile application also provides real-time charging station locations with turn-by-turn directions. In a forthcoming upgrade, drivers will soon be able to reserve a time slot, guaranteeing them access to the station to recharge their car. 

CarCharging's RFID card also allows the driver to use other charging locations that are on the ChargePoint® Network. Should an EV driver not have or own an RFID card, CarCharging also supports direct payment via credit card.

Walgreens has a long-standing commitment to reducing energy usage and expanding its renewable energy initiatives. The company became the nation's first drugstore chain to install a geothermal energy system at one of its stores in Oak Park, Ill., in 2010. The company's Mira Mesa, Calif., location became the first drugstore to receive LEED gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. Walgreens also has more than 130 rooftop solar installations at stores and distribution centers across the country. In addition, the company utilizes an energy management system that monitors electricity, water, heating and cooling and waste management at more than 3,000 stores to help reduce energy usage and maintenance costs while extending equipment life.

About Car Charging Group, Inc.:  

Car Charging Group, Inc. (OTCBB:CCGI), headquartered in Miami, Florida with offices in Silicon Valley, CA, is the pioneer for nationwide public EV charging services enabling drivers to refuel anytime, anywhere throughout North America and ultimately in many high growth global markets. CCGI provides a comprehensive turn-key electric vehicle charging service to commercial and residential property owners employing the most advanced technology, both software and hardware, to build a robust, feature-rich network attracting businesses and consumers alike. The CCGI business model is unique and accelerates the adoption of public EV charging services; all installation, maintenance and related services are paid for by CCGI reducing the capital costs for a property owner to zero. Our property partners benefit by sharing in the revenue generated from the EV charging service while enhancing green initiatives throughout their business operations. CCGI has more than 30 strategic partnerships from all sectors including municipalities, shopping malls, parking garages, governments, retail parking, multi-family residential and commercial properties totaling more than six million parking spaces with all partner locations expected to have high numbers of EVs at their locations. CCGI's partners include Ace Parking, Central Parking, Equity Residential, Icon Parking, Rapid Parking, USA Parking, Walgreens, The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, The City of Miami Beach, The City of West Palm Beach and others. More than one million plug-in electric vehicles, such as the Nissan LEAF, GM Chevrolet Volt, Fisker Karma, Tesla Model S, Ford Focus EV as well as many others, are expected to be on the road in the U.S. by 2015 with estimates calling for more than 40 million on the road worldwide in 2030. For more information about Car Charging Group, Inc., please visit www.CarCharging.com.

About Walgreens:

As the nation's largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2011 sales of $72 billion, Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) vision is to become America's first choice for health and daily living. Each day, Walgreens provides nearly 6 million customers the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice in communities across America. Walgreens scope of pharmacy services includes retail, specialty, infusion, medical facility and mail service, along with respiratory services. These services improve health outcomes and lower costs for payers including employers, managed care organizations, health systems, pharmacy benefit managers and the public sector. The company operates 7,847 drugstores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Take Care Health Systems is a Walgreens subsidiary that is the largest and most comprehensive manager of worksite health and wellness centers and in-store convenient care clinics, with more than 700 locations throughout the country.

Forward-Looking Safe Harbor Statement:

This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined within Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. By their nature, forward-looking statements and forecasts involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the near future.  Those statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of Car Charging Group, Inc., and members of its management as well as the assumptions on which such statements are based. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed.

CONTACT: Investor Relations and Media Contacts:

         For Car Charging Group, Inc.
         Kevin S. Inda
         Corporate Communications, Inc. (CCI)
         kevin.inda@cci-ir.com
         407-566-1180

         For Walgreens
         Vivika Panagiotakakos
         vivika.panagiotakakos@walgreens.com
         847-315-2923