Electric Fuel Successfully Completes Field Test
3 June 1998
Electric Fuel Successfully Completes Field Test with German Postal Service; Initiates Consortium to Commercialize Technology NEW YORK, June 3 -- Electric Fuel Corporation
announced today the successful completion of the field test conducted in
Germany with Deutsche Post AG, the German Postal Service.
Initiated in Bremen in 1996, the field test involved the use of postal
vans powered by the Electric Fuel zinc-air battery system and the
establishment of the infrastructure for regenerating the batteries. The vans
were fully integrated into postal service routes and traveled a total of over
60,000 km (40,000 miles) in all weather conditions.
According to the Deutsche Post, "The high performance of the zinc-air
energy system was confirmed. In city traffic, the Mercedes vans equipped with
Electric Fuel batteries had a range of more than 300 km and the regeneration
of the discharged batteries worked problem-free."
Dr. Gunter W. Tumm, Member of the Management Board of the Deutsche Post,
said about the field test results, "... Deutsche Post has tested the zinc-air
energy system which is currently the best energy system for electric vehicles
(and) a clear signal was sent to the market that there are possibilities for
using electric vehicles. Deutsche Post has supported this test with more than
12 million (Deutsche) Marks and has shown its commitment to support and use
environmentally sound technology. However, the further development of the
system is not the task of Deutsche Post but needs to be done by the
manufacturers. When environmentally sound technology is available in large
scale production, we will be the first to say 'yes' to emission free driving
in the city centers."
"We are the only ones who have demonstrated, on the road, a fleet of
zero-emission commercial vehicles that provide fleet operators with the kind
of performance they demand -- over a 300 km range and high payload
capabilities," said Yehuda Harats, president and CEO. "We are now prepared to
take the lead on commercializing the system."
The Electric Fuel European commercialization program continues: Edison,
Electric Fuel's partner in Italy, is expanding its market development efforts;
KEMA, an international consulting and management organization located in the
Netherlands, and Nuon, an electric utility, both are beginning a demonstration
program using a passenger version of the Mercedes Benz Vito as a train taxi in
Holland. In Germany, Electric Fuel has been requested to participate in a
European Union Thermie program with Vito postal vans, managed by Deutsche Post
Consult International. Electric Fuel will continue its efforts to obtain
government support for new projects with fleet operators in Europe.
Electric Fuel recently announced the completion of the production version
of its electric vehicle battery and has begun discussions with various
European industrial companies to establish a consortium to manufacture and
distribute electric vehicles equipped with zinc-air batteries and build the
related infrastructure in Europe.
The production version of the battery is being integrated into the
European programs and will be used in the United States in projects with the
Center for Sustainable Technology in Nevada and the New York Power Authority.
Electric Fuel Corporation, with corporate offices in New York City and
manufacturing and R&D facilities in Jerusalem, Israel and in Auburn, Alabama,
is pioneering the use of zinc-air battery technology for electric vehicles,
consumer electronic products, and industrial applications.
NOTE: This press release contains forward-looking statements. There are
certain important factors that could cause results to differ materially from
those anticipated by the statements made above as set forth in the Company's
annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997.
Among, but not limited to these factors, are the stage of development of the
Company's products, the uncertainty of the market for electric vehicles and
significant future capital requirements.
