MILWAUKEE, Wis. -- The Cleantech Group, a global investment firm dedicated to clean technology, awarded Johnson Controls its Product Innovation Award for clean technology at the Cleantech Forum XXIII, held Sept. 9 in Boston. Johnson Controls was recognized for its leadership in the production of advanced batteries for hybrid and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Since 2003, the Cleantech Group has been recognizing select individuals, companies and other organizations that have been furthering the clean technology sector.

"This award recognizes that we are not only developing and manufacturing advanced batteries, we are establishing a sustainable hybrid and electric vehicle industry. This includes suppliers for critical materials and equipment, recycling programs and continuous improvement through research and development," said Mark Wagner, vice president of Government Relations for Johnson Controls, who accepted the award on behalf of the company. "We believe this approach will enable the U.S. to become globally competitive and create sustainable jobs."

Johnson Controls recently received a $299.2 million economic stimulus grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) -- the largest grant awarded by the DOE for advanced battery manufacturing and development - to build domestic manufacturing capacity for advanced batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles. Part of the funding from the DOE grant will support the company's first U.S. manufacturing facility in Holland, Mich., expected to be in operation before the end of 2010. Additionally, through its joint venture Johnson Controls-Saft, the company is already in production for the lithium-ion battery for the Mercedes Benz S Class, the first lithium-ion hybrid available to consumers and on sale today. It also has production contracts with BMW for its 7 series ActiveHybrid available in early 2010, and with Ford for its first plug-in hybrid available to consumers in 2010.