Press Release

Edison Announces Effort to Develop Electric Charging System in West

12/09/96

Plugging in to How Electric Vehicles Work Edison EV Leads Effort to
Develop Electric Charging System in West


LOS ANGELES, Dec. 5, -- Electric vehicles (EVs) need
places to recharge their batteries, just as conventional vehicles need
gas stations. Edison EV is providing those places to make electric
charging more accessible and convenient.

Based in Los Angeles, Edison EV is the authorized California and
Arizona distributor of Delco Magne Charge(TM) equipment and the
authorized provider of charging equipment and service for General
Motors EVs.  The company also provides charging equipment, circuit
installation and warranty and repair services to EV fleets, public
charging stations and residences in California and Arizona.

"Fueling an EV means that you drive away from home every morning with
a `full tank' that has been charged overnight while you slept," said
Diane O. Wittenberg, president and CEO of Edison EV. "Our goal is
customer convenience, so you can `top off' your car while working,
going to the movies, or going to a ball game, thanks to a public
charging infrastructure."

Edison EV was formed in January 1996, drawing on many years of
electric vehicle and automotive industry experience of its management
team, as well as the financial resources of its parent company, Edison
International. Edison International also owns Southern California
Edison, the nation's second largest electric utility.

Edison EV has formed a strategic alliance with General Motors
Corp. under which Edison EV provides authorized charging equipment
installation services for EVs in California and Arizona, starting with
the GM's EV1, which goes on sale today in Saturn showrooms.  Edison EV
also has formed an alliance with Delco Electronics Corp. to distribute
Delco's Magne Charge(TM) inductive electric vehicle charging equipment
in both states. Although originally designed for GM's EV1 electric
sports car and S10 pickup truck, the Magne Charge(TM) system can be
used by any auto maker.

Edison EV's welcome to electric vehicles begins with installation of
an EV charging station in the garage of every new EV owner. "Aside
from the time you save by charging at home, you never have to spend
time at the gas station or worry about your clothes and hands smelling
like gas," Wittenberg said. "Recharging at home is clean, safe and
easy. It takes just a few seconds to insert the charging paddle, and
charging is fully automatic."

To extend the range of electric vehicles and enhance public
convenience, Edison EV is working with local governmental agencies to
create a network of public charging stations. Fourteen charging
stations have already been installed in the Inland Empire as part of
an Inland Empire Clean Fuel Corridor, developed in conjunction with
local transportation commissions.  Edison EV expects to install
another 150 charging stations in 1997.

"Public charging stations will enhance widespread public awareness and
acceptance of electric vehicles and promote industry growth,"
Wittenberg said. "They'll give the early EV owners emotional
reassurance that their vehicle choice is wise, while providing
consumer convenience and increased vehicle operation range and
flexibility.

"The more public charging stations people see, the more comfortable
they will become with the idea of owning an EV," she said.

Market research confirms that the public views availability of
conveniently located charging stations as an important factor in
making an EV buying decision.

Ideal locations for public charging stations include large employers,
upscale shopping centers and malls, entertainment and sports
complexes, government buildings, public parking areas, and parking
adjacent to mass transit facilities, airports and train stations.

"Far-sighted leaders in both the public and private sectors are moving
quickly to welcome electric vehicles at their facilities by installing
public charging facilities," Wittenberg said.

Edison EV's charging station clients in California include
trend-setting restaurants, upscale shopping centers, prestigious
resort hotels, museums and other public attractions, and commuter
train stations.

To support installation of electric vehicle charging stations both in
public facilities and private homes, Edison EV has created a Certified
Contractor Network of carefully screened electrical contractors in
California and Arizona. These contractors have special installation
training and information, offer fair prices, and respond rapidly to
installation requests.

"From the moment an individual commits to acquiring an EV1 from
Saturn, we will be able to arrange for cost-effective installation of
the charger and related circuits in less than a week in most cases,"
Wittenberg said. "You won't have to wait long to begin having fun
driving the absolute cleanest -- and one of the fastest -- cars on the
road."

Edison EV's charger installation services for individual electric
owners includes supply of vehicle charger and coordination of all
elements of installation.

"Our one-stop shopping approach eliminates the need for a new EV owner
to get bids from electrical contractors, contact the city electrical
inspector, find a charger supplier, worry about warranty and repairs
on the charger, and wonder whether the owner is getting a good price
and quality installation," said Wittenberg.  "The Edison EV approach
means no hassles, no surprises, no delays, and no problems for new
owners of electric vehicles."

Edison EV's service is backed by a three-year circuit warranty, a
three- year manufacturer's warranty on the charger, and a national
Customer Service Center with a 24-hour emergency hotline. The Edison
EV web site on the Internet (edisonev.com) will keep customers updated
on the latest technological developments and public charging
installations.

"I am very proud of our contributions and the pioneering leadership
our company has started to establish a comprehensive electrical
charging system," said Wittenberg. "By blazing the trail where no
company has gone before, we are helping assure that electric vehicles
succeed in the marketplace. The next century belongs to clean, energy
efficient electric vehicles."

To contact Edison EV's Customer Service Center for additional
information or an installation estimate, call (888) 890-GOEV.