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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center; background-color: white">UNITED STATES</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: left; background-color: white">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center; background-color: white">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: left; background-color: white">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center; background-color: white">WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: left; background-color: white">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center; background-color: white">FORM 8-K</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: left; background-color: white">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center; background-color: white">CURRENT REPORT</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: left; background-color: white">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center; background-color: white">PURSUANT TO SECTION
13 OR 15(d) OF THE</P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center; background-color: white">SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: left; background-color: white">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center; background-color: white">DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT
REPORTED: January 23, 2012</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: left; background-color: white">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center; background-color: white">AXION POWER INTERNATIONAL,
INC.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center; background-color: white">(Exact name of Registrant
as specified in its charter)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: left; background-color: white">&nbsp;</P>

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    <TD STYLE="width: 33%; text-align: center; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">Delaware</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 34%; text-align: center; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">000-22573</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 33%; text-align: center; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">65-0774638</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">
    <TD STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">(State or other jurisdiction of</P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;incorporation)</P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">(Commission File</P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">Number)</P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">(I.R.S. Employer Identification</P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">Number)</P></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: left; background-color: white">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center; background-color: white">3601 Clover Lane</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center; background-color: white">New Castle, PA 16105</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center; background-color: white">(Address of principal
executive offices)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: left; background-color: white">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center; background-color: white">(724) 654-9300</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center; background-color: white">(Registrant&rsquo;s
telephone number, including area code)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: left; background-color: white">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center; background-color: white">(Former name or former
address, if changed since last report)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: left; background-color: white">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: left; background-color: white">Check the appropriate
box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):</P>

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    <TD STYLE="width: 4%; text-align: left; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings 2">&#163;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 96%; text-align: left; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: left; background-color: white">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">
<TR STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">
    <TD STYLE="width: 4%; text-align: left; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings 2">&#163;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 96%; text-align: left; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: left; background-color: white">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">
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    <TD STYLE="width: 4%; text-align: left; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings 2">&#163;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 96%; text-align: left; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
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    <TD STYLE="width: 4%; text-align: left; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings 2">&#163;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 96%; text-align: left; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: left; background-color: white">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: left; background-color: white">&nbsp;</P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: left; background-color: white"></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: left; background-color: white">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: right; background-color: white"></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: left; background-color: white">ITEM 5.02(c)&nbsp;&nbsp;Appointment
of Certain Officer</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: left; background-color: white">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: left; background-color: white">On January 23, 2012,
Vani Kumar Dantam commenced work as the Senior Vice President-Business Development, Sales and Marketing of Axion Power International,
Inc. (the &ldquo;Company&rdquo;).</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: left; background-color: white">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: left; background-color: white">From 2010 &ndash; 2011,
Mr. Dantam served as the Vice President &ndash; Business Development &amp; Sales for Ener 1, a manufacturer of EV and HEV batteries.
During his tenure with Ener 1, Dantam developed over 35 comprehensive proposals for new global customers, building a pipeline of
over $500 million in EV and HEV battery business.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: left; background-color: white">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: left; background-color: white">From 1994 &ndash; 2010,
Dantam was employed with Remy International, as Director &ndash; Sales &amp; Marketing, Global Director &ndash; Heavy Duty Sales
&amp; Marketing (2004-2009) and Global Director &ndash; Hybrid &amp; Traction Motor Sales &amp; Business Development (2009 &ndash;
2010).</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: left; background-color: white">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: left; background-color: white">Mr. Dantam holds an MBA
( Finance and International Business ) from Indiana University, an MS, Mechanical Engineering from Vanderbilt University and a
BE, Metallurgical Engineering from Banaras Hindu University- in India.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: left; background-color: white">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.25in; background-color: white">In
conjunction with the appointments, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Dantam.. This agreement generally
requires the executive to devote substantially all of his business time to our affairs, establish standards of conduct, prohibit
competition with our company during his term, affirm our rights respecting the ownership and disclosure of patents, trade secrets
and other confidential information, provide for the acts and events that would give rise to termination of such agreements and
provide express remedies for a breach of the agreement. Each of our executives will participate in our standard employee benefit
programs, including medical/hospitalization insurance as in effect from time to time. Each of the covered executives will generally
receive reimbursement for all reasonable business expenses incurred by them on behalf of the Company in the performance of their
duties.&nbsp;&nbsp;The provision of his agreement is summarized below:</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: left; background-color: white">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">
<TR STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">
    <TD STYLE="width: 4%; text-align: left; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 4%; text-align: left; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; vertical-align: top"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 7pt">&#9679;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 92%; text-align: left; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; vertical-align: top">Under the terms of his employment agreement effective January 1, 2012, which has a term of three years, Mr. Dantam receives an annual salary of $225,000, which is subject to review on an annual basis, a $20,000 sign on bonus, bonuses as determined by the compensation committee, and a 5-year option to purchase 150,000 shares of our common stock at a price of $1.50 per share, 15,020 options shall vest upon execution of this contract and, beginning in March 2012, 3,970 options will vest monthly through the remaining 34 months of this contract.</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: left; background-color: white">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: left; background-color: white">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center; background-color: white">SIGNATURES</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: left; background-color: white">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in; background-color: white">Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Axion Power International, Inc. has caused this report to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: left; background-color: white">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in; background-color: white">Dated:
January 27, 2012</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: left; background-color: white">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%">
<TR STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="text-align: left; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">Axion Power International, Inc.</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: left; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">
    <TD STYLE="width: 3%; text-align: left; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 25%; text-align: left; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 72%; text-align: left; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">
    <TD STYLE="padding-bottom: 1.2pt; text-align: left; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">By:</TD>
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: black 1.5pt solid; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; text-align: left">/s/ Charles R. Trego</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-bottom: 1.2pt; text-align: left; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">
    <TD COLSPAN="3" STYLE="text-align: left; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">Charles R. Trego</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">
    <TD COLSPAN="3" STYLE="text-align: left; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">Chief Financial Officer</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: left; background-color: white">&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>



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[{"type": "8-K", "sequence": "1", "filename": "v300630_8k.htm", "description": "FORM 8-K", "secsgml_size_bytes": 17361}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "Axion Power International, Inc.", "cik": "0001028153", "assigned-sic": "3690", "irs-number": "650774638", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "000-22573", "film-number": "12550766"}, "business-address": {"street1": "3601 CLOVER LANE", "city": "NEW CASTLE", "state": "PA", "zip": "16105", "phone": "905-264-1991"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "3601 CLOVER LANE", "city": "NEW CASTLE", "state": "PA", "zip": "16105"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "TAMBORIL CIGAR CO", "date-changed": "19961204"}}
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION
13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934
DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT
REPORTED: January 23, 2012
AXION POWER INTERNATIONAL,
INC.
(Exact name of Registrant
as specified in its charter)
Delaware
000-22573
65-0774638
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation)
(Commission File
Number)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification
Number)
3601 Clover Lane
New Castle, PA 16105
(Address of principal
executive offices)
(724) 654-9300
(Registrant's
telephone number, including area code)
(Former name or former
address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate
box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
£
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
£
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
£
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
£
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
ITEM 5.02(c)  Appointment
of Certain Officer
On January 23, 2012,
Vani Kumar Dantam commenced work as the Senior Vice President-Business Development, Sales and Marketing of Axion Power International,
Inc. (the "Company").
From 2010 – 2011,
Mr. Dantam served as the Vice President – Business Development & Sales for Ener 1, a manufacturer of EV and HEV batteries.
During his tenure with Ener 1, Dantam developed over 35 comprehensive proposals for new global customers, building a pipeline of
over $500 million in EV and HEV battery business.
From 1994 – 2010,
Dantam was employed with Remy International, as Director – Sales & Marketing, Global Director – Heavy Duty Sales
& Marketing (2004-2009) and Global Director – Hybrid & Traction Motor Sales & Business Development (2009 –
2010).
Mr. Dantam holds an MBA
( Finance and International Business ) from Indiana University, an MS, Mechanical Engineering from Vanderbilt University and a
BE, Metallurgical Engineering from Banaras Hindu University- in India.
In
conjunction with the appointments, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Dantam.. This agreement generally
requires the executive to devote substantially all of his business time to our affairs, establish standards of conduct, prohibit
competition with our company during his term, affirm our rights respecting the ownership and disclosure of patents, trade secrets
and other confidential information, provide for the acts and events that would give rise to termination of such agreements and
provide express remedies for a breach of the agreement. Each of our executives will participate in our standard employee benefit
programs, including medical/hospitalization insurance as in effect from time to time. Each of the covered executives will generally
receive reimbursement for all reasonable business expenses incurred by them on behalf of the Company in the performance of their
duties.  The provision of his agreement is summarized below:
●
Under the terms of his employment agreement effective January 1, 2012, which has a term of three years, Mr. Dantam receives an annual salary of $225,000, which is subject to review on an annual basis, a $20,000 sign on bonus, bonuses as determined by the compensation committee, and a 5-year option to purchase 150,000 shares of our common stock at a price of $1.50 per share, 15,020 options shall vest upon execution of this contract and, beginning in March 2012, 3,970 options will vest monthly through the remaining 34 months of this contract.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Axion Power International, Inc. has caused this report to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Dated:
January 27, 2012
Axion Power International, Inc.
By:
/s/ Charles R. Trego
Charles R. Trego
Chief Financial Officer