Press Release

BAT Northeast to Build Electric Vehicles in New York

09/17/96

BAT Subsidiary Coming to Advanced Vehicle Technology Center in Rome,
New York to Build Electric Vehicles



BURBANK, Calif., Sept. 13 -- A subsidiary of
B.A.T. International, (OTC: BAAT), BAT Northeast will be establishing
in initial production site at the Advanced Vehicle Technology Center
at Griffiss Business & Technology Park in Rome, NY. BAT recently spun
off numerous subsidiary companies to pursue development of
cutting-edge electric transportation technologies including electric
vehicles (EVs), hybrid-electric vehicles (HEV's), super-efficient
engines, electric bicycles & mini-cars. BAT's Northeast subsidiary is
planning to introduce to Northeast markets these advanced
transportation technologies while simultaneously forging strategic
partnerships to accelerate product introduction to fleets & consumers.
Several battery technologies developed by BAT are very well suited for
colder Northeast climates.

The Advanced Vehicle Technology Center (AVTC) has been established to
bring together advanced transportation technology companies and to
make New York the center of transportation solutions for the
future. This will ease New York's dependence on foreign oil, clean the
air, reduce street noise and provide a new industrial base for job
growth. Governor Pataki has introduced a $1.75 billion bond fund that
will be voted on in November that includes $75 million dollars for
alternative fuel vehicle economic development programs.  BAT has been
working closely with Congressman Boehlert's office and numerous other
Northeast auto, air quality and environmental interests. This
collaboration has resulted in various activities at the AVTC including
setting up an international advanced high performance cold climate
battery consortium.

BAT Northeast (BATNE) will initially be leasing space at the AVTC to
convert 5 U.S. Postal Service (USPS) vehicles to electric power. Plans
are also underway to convert other fleets to electric power, including
a courier van demonstration program, additional USPS vehicles in the
Northeast and various state and municipal fleet vehicles. Other
projects on the horizon include hybrid electric vehicles and buses and
various technologies for export markets. BATNE also plans to work
closely with AVTC to develop and test cold climate batteries and
integrate advanced batteries in cutting edge EV's & HEVs. BATNE is
investigating possible sites for a large production facility at AVTC
or other locations in New York State or in the Northeast.

BATNE has appointed Dwight Kearns, Chairman of the Board for
BATNE. Kearns will add a strong management and fiscal backbone to the
subsidiary as a result of an extensive work history as a leader in
public pensions and finance via his experience as Executive Director
of the New York City Board of Education Retirement System. Mr. Kearns
plans to move aggressively in bringing together a strong management
team and securing contracts for demonstrating advanced EVs, batteries
& other technologies.