Astris Energi Shares Admitted For Trading on U.S. OTC Bulletin Board

    MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, Canada--June 20, 2001--Astris Energi Inc. (OTC BB: ASRNF), pioneering developers of alkaline fuel cell energy-generating systems for small vehicles, homes, motor homes and boats, reported that its common stock began trading today on the U.S. OTC Bulletin Board Service.
    Transactions are being executed under a new symbol: ASRNF.
    Listing became possible with the recent certification of the company as a full-reporting entity by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, said Gordon Emerson, chief financial officer and director of Astris, and application for inclusion on the Bulletin Board was filed immediately.
    Astris shares were previously traded in the "Pink Sheet" market under its original symbol, ASRF. At least six market makers are now expected to be active in the stock.
    Of the many companies trying to gain a foothold in the new fuel cell industry, Astris is believed to be the only one with three separate systems fully developed, field tested and ready for commercialization. Much of its engineering and prototype production activity has been performed at the company's affiliate concern in Benesov, the Czech Republic.
    Over the past month, Astris has successfully demonstrated the world's first alkaline fuel cell-powered golf car in both the United States and Canada. The same power unity can be adapted to drive a wide variety of small vehicles, Emerson said.
    Fuel cells generate electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen gas and oxygen from the air, with no fossil fuels involved. In operation, they are noiseless, odorless and emit no pollutants, only pure water.

    NOTE: Any statements contained in this release that are not statements of fact may be considered "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined under U.S. federal security laws. Forward-looking statements are only predictions and may differ materially from actual events or results.