News from Xantrex: Volvo Offers New Xantrex Frame-Rail Mounted Inverter/Charger

NEWS RELEASE

For more information, contact:
Brian Lawrence, Xantrex Technology Inc.
Phone: 360-435-8826, ext. 4080
Email: brian.lawrence@xantrex.com

Volvo Offers New Frame-Rail Mounted Inverter/Charger from Xantrex

ARLINGTON, Wash., October 12, 2001 -- Volvo now offers the Xantrex Heavy
Duty Weatherproof Inverter/Charger as a TruckMatch option on its VNL 610,
660 and 770 models.  The inverter/charger transforms DC voltage from a
truck's batteries to household electricity so truckers can have the comforts
of home on the road.

Providing 1000 watts of continuous power and 3000 watts of peak power, the
Xantrex Inverter/Charger transforms 12 Volts DC power to household
alternating current (120 Volts AC) so regular appliances, electronics, and
tools can be operated in or around the truck.  When connected to 'shore
power' at a truckstop, terminal, or at home, all 12-volt DC and 120-volt AC
loads run off the Xantrex Inverter/Charger while it simultaneously charges
batteries using an optimized three-stage charging strategy.  The
inverter/charger features an integral low voltage disconnect system that
protects batteries from excessive discharge.

"The Heavy Duty Truck market is an important strategic focus for Xantrex and
we wanted to work with a company that is committed to offering AC
infrastructure as a key component of heavy duty trucks now and into the
future," said Rhonda Elton, vice president of Xantrex's Mobile Power group.
"Volvo had the foresight to realize their customers will benefit from this
technology and we are very pleased to be working with such a progressive
manufacturer."

According to Kurt Hollinger, a marketing manager at Volvo, the new Xantrex
Inverter/Charger is a "natural evolution" for Volvo, which was the first OEM
to offer shore power connections and inverter/chargers as an option.  "The
biggest benefit of the new Xantrex system is where the inverter/charger is
located," said Hollinger.  " As it is weatherproof, it can be frame-rail
mounted, creating room in the luggage compartment where the inverter/charger
was previously mounted. The other advantage of having the inverter/charger
located next to the batteries is that we can use shorter cables, which means
less voltage drop and superior performance. It's a solution that is unique
to Volvo and we have had tremendous reaction from our customers."

Hollinger says that Volvo became aware of the popularity of AC power when it
conducted focus groups prior to the launch of its 770 model.  "Since we
began offering shore power connections and inverter/chargers, interest has
grown.  It's one of the more popular options we have now -- more than 5,000
VN770s have been wired for shore power."

While driver comfort has been a driving force behind the popularity of shore
power and inverter/chargers, Hollinger is seeing increased activity from
fleets who are specifying inverter/chargers as a way to reduce idling time.
"That's a huge issue in our industry," he said.  "We're now seeing some of
our larger customers electrifying their terminals and plugging in.  They're
also inquiring about plug-ins at truckstops.  They save in fuel costs from
not having to idle, plus they recharge their batteries. Drivers also like an
idle-free environment from both a noise and air pollution standpoint. AC
power makes sense on many levels."

Sidebar: Volvo's High Tech Truck features Complete AC Power Infrastructure
to Aid Driver Comfort/Reduce Idling

Is the no-idle truck a coming attraction for fleets and owner operators?
"It very well could be," says Curtis Jacobson, a Volvo lead electronics
engineer.  "The idea of on-board AC power and shore power is universally
endorsed by truck operators.  We're just waiting for power to be available
anywhere truckers park to take full advantage of the technology."

In the meantime, Volvo is giving truckers a glimpse of the future with its
High Tech Truck.  Installed on board is an integrated AC power system, which
includes a frame-rail mounted Xantrex Inverter/Charger and shore power, plus
a prototype electric HVAC system developed in partnership with Taylor Made
Environmental. "An inverter/charger, along with shore power, helps reduce
idle time, But to have a purely 'no idle truck,' an electric HVAC system is
needed," said Jacobson.  "That's what we're demonstrating with our High Tech
Truck. 

"The system works directly from shore power, which is a very big step in
making the system a reality," Jacobson continued. "This step will lead to
another: an electric HVAC system that works equally well with shore power,
as with an on-board power source and an inverter/charger."

According to Jacobson, it's conceivable that in large sleeper-cab
applications, electric HVAC systems could either supplement or replace
conventional engine-dependent auxiliary climate units.  "Further development
will improve their capacity and efficiency, and will make installation
easier," he said.  "Ultimately these systems may present a very
cost-effective and environmentally-friendly alternative to engine idling."

About Xantrex

Xantrex Technology Inc. develops, manufactures and markets leading advanced
power electronic and control products for the Distributed, Mobile, and
Programmable Power markets. The company's enabling technology converts raw
electrical power from any central, distributed, or backup power source into
high-quality power required by electronic and electrical equipment.

Xantrex products are used for various applications: for renewable and
distributed power solutions such as solar, wind, microturbines and fuel
cells; to supply backup power for homes, small businesses and traffic lights
during electric grid disruptions; to provide auxiliary power in boats,
recreational vehicles, cars and heavy duty trucks; and to develop, test, and
power precision equipment such as semi-conductor manufacturing and medical
equipment.  The company sells its products under the Xantrex, Trace, Heart
and Statpower brands.

A privately owned company with 700 employees and revenues of USD$95 million
in 2000, Xantrex is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia with
additional facilities in Arlington, Washington and Livermore, California.
www.xantrex.com.