Exide Technologies Launches Next Generation of Liberator® Locomotive Batteries

ALPHARETTA, Ga.--Exide Technologies (www.exide.com), a global leader in stored electrical-energy solutions, introduces the Liberator^® KDZ-501 and Liberator^® KDZ-651, an updated line of locomotive starting batteries for the North American railroad market, sold by its GNB Industrial Power business.

With an enhanced design, GNB’s newest KDZ products for rolling stock applications are helping to satisfy some important railway market issues, including the need for longer intervals between parts maintenance; larger power demands placed on locomotive battery systems; as well as the requirement for increased performance, reliability and overall rail network dependability.

For example, designed to double battery watering intervals from 90 days to 180 days, the KDZ-501 and the KDZ-651 batteries can increase operational time between routine locomotive maintenance and offer a reliable solution for high temperature operation.

These industry concerns, in conjunction with input and guidance from GNB’s key partners in the locomotive industry, served as the impetus for the design changes for the next generation of GNB’s newest KDZ products. The new Liberator^® KDZ-501 and KDZ-651 batteries replace the KDZ-500 and KDZ-650 batteries in GNB’s product lineup.

“As a provider of the some of the earliest railroad car lighting batteries used in North America, our GNB Industrial Power team’s history with the railroad dates back more than a century,” said Keith Schmid, Vice President - General Manager of the Exide Technologies Industrial Energy Division in North America. “Since that time, we have continued to support the railroads with products specifically designed for their demanding needs. The new line of Liberator^® KDZ products is a continuation of our long-standing service to the railway industry.”

The new Liberator^® products are manufactured at Exide’s Kansas City, Missouri facility. More information on these and other Exide Technologies products is available at www.exide.com.

About Exide Technologies:

Exide Technologies, with operations in 89 countries, is one of the world’s largest producers and recyclers of lead-acid batteries. The Company’s four global business groups – Transportation Americas, Transportation Europe and Rest of World, Industrial Energy Americas and Industrial Energy Europe and Rest of World – provide a comprehensive range of stored electrical energy products and services for industrial and transportation applications.

Transportation markets include original-equipment and aftermarket automotive, heavy-duty truck, agricultural and marine applications, and new technologies for hybrid vehicles and 42-volt automotive applications. Industrial markets include network power applications such as telecommunications systems, electric utilities, railroads, photovoltaic (solar-power related) and uninterruptible power supply (UPS), and motive-power applications including lift trucks, mining and other commercial vehicles.

Further information about Exide, including its financial results, are available at www.exide.com.