LA Law Firm Earns Environmental Award for Commuting in an Electric B.A.T Mobile

07/25/96

ELECTRIC CAR COMMUTER PROGRAM IN A BAT LEADS TO GOOD EARTHKEEPING
AWARD

BURBANK, Calif., July 24 -- On August 16th at 10:00 AM at
City Hall, Graham & James and the 801 Tower will be given a "Good
Earthkeeping Award" by the City of LA for their outstanding efforts to
protect the environment.  One of the showcase efforts that led to this
award is an electric vehicle commuter demonstration program to road
test an electric B.A.T. vehicle.

On July 21st, 1995, B.A.T. Int. (OTC: BAAT) delivered an electric 2
dr. coupe to Graham & James in L.A.  Graham & James is one of
the most prestigious law firms in California, with 25 offices
worldwide.  For over 4 years they planned a special commuter test
program involving electric vehicles (EVs).  The program included
support from the L.A.  Department of Water and Power (LADWP) and
others to establish electric vehicle charging stations in the 801
Tower, in downtown L.A.  Graham & James laid out an aggressive
plan to test the viability of electric cars for commuting.  The plan
included lending the car each week to a different employee so that
they could commute between work & home.  This would allow for a
stringent evaluation of EVs in real life situations.

Most of the EV programs developed in the U.S. require a careful
screening & education of the drivers of electric vehicles.  They
are also put in fleet service where managers can watch and monitor the
vehicles carefully on a daily basis.  To put a car in the hands of the
public with a new driver every week in real commuter service is a true
test of electric vehicle capabilities and commercial viability.
Equally interesting is the long term experience of drivers, as the
program has evolved to allow a one month loan to interested employees.
As we pass the first anniversary of the test program with Graham &
James, B.A.T. is happy to announce a very successful year.  No major
problems were experienced from the car, which was driven by more than
35 people, who were all very excited about being able to commute in an
electric vehicle.

The vehicle experienced no problems except that 4 batteries were
replaced due to lower than expected performance.  This was done during
scheduled maintenance and did not cause any inconvenience to the
commuter.  It's notable that several of the commuters lived at high
elevations or a long distance from work.  One employee lived in
LaCanada, which is 25 miles and 1500 ft above downtown LA.  A 2nd
employee has just finished a 28 mile one way trip that culminated with
a 1000 ft. steep hill climb.  The car had lots of power to climb hills
or drive on freeways and is actually quicker than a gas Geo Metro.

Assemblymember Knox has introduced a bill in the California
Legislature that would allow electric and natural gas vehicles meeting
ILEV emission levels into carpool lanes with only one occupant.  If
this bill becomes law this year, many more drivers in L.A. may be
commuting in EVs.  This will reduce oil use, clean the air and save
L.A. commuters time and money.

B.A.T. congratulates Graham & James, the L.A. Department of Water
and Power, and all those who have participated in the 1st year of the
test program.  They are pioneers in what may be a new way to commute
to work -- the electric commuter vehicle.