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Ener1 to Acquire Giner Electrochemical's Fuel Cell Business

Signs Letters of Intent with Giner, Inc. and General Motors Corp. for Purchase of Their Interests

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Jan. 11 -- Ener1, Inc., today announced it has signed letters of intent to acquire Giner Electrochemical Systems, LLC (GES), a privately held company located in Newton, Massachusetts, that specializes in the development of fuel cell technologies and products. GES is currently owned by Giner, Inc. and General Motors Corp.(GM). GES will maintain its existing GM multi-year contracts (totaling several million dollars) and its broad research and development relationship with GM going forward.

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GES has contributed to the development of many new patented technologies and products for fuel cell power generation, including proton exchange membrane (PEM) high-pressure electrolyzers for gas production, regenerative fuel cells, and direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) stacks and systems. In addition to its research and development activities, GES builds and sells prototypes and custom fuel cell products. The company operates from a 25,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility in Newton, Massachusetts, with over 40 employees. It has the internal capabilities to design, build, test and integrate all basic components of fuel cell and electrolyzer devices. The GES senior management team, including Dr. Jose Giner, Chairman and Founder, and Dr. Anthony LaConti, CEO and Vice Chairman, will remain in place through consulting and employment agreements extending over the next several years.

Kevin Fitzgerald, Ener1's Chairman and CEO, said, "Our acquisition of GES fits our strategy of partnering with successful companies that will accelerate the achievement of our business objectives. GES is a recognized leader in the fuel cell industry. The Giner/GES operation has had an established revenue base and positive net income. In addition, GES has numerous ongoing contracts, a contract backlog, and a strong and growing customer base. GES is a strong complement to our fuel cell subsidiary, EnerFuel, and an excellent fit for us."

"We are confident that Ener1 will be able to help us capitalize on the research and development work we have done, and will continue to do, in fuel cells, electrolyzers and related electrochemical technologies," added Dr. LaConti. "We believe that our ongoing research and development efforts will benefit from this transaction with Ener1. We bring our revenue and contract backlog to the relationship and believe the combined business, as well as the technology synergy between the two companies, will have increased capability to offer competitive fuel cell-related products and services."

Pankaj Dhingra, President of Ener1's Energy Group, added, "GES has capabilities and technologies in PEM fuel cells that will help us exploit many potential market applications, e.g., local and backup power, portable power, personal mobility and scooters."

The total market for stationary fuel cell sources has been estimated to reach $10 billion+ worldwide within 10 years. PEM fuel cells and their direct methanol variants (DMFCs), which do not require a separate hydrogen source, are expected to be competitive in this market.

"We are very gratified to have the opportunity to join forces with Drs. Giner and LaConti and the other preeminent industry experts on their team to expand our capabilities in this emerging market sector," added Fitzgerald. "We believe that GES' substantial capabilities in innovative research and development and commercialization will mesh well with our existing resources."

James Dunn, Director of NASA's Northeast Regional Technology Transfer Center, and well-known consultant to the fuel cell industry, commented, "This acquisition is very significant for both Ener1 and the rapidly emerging fuel cell industry. GES is a unique research and development company with many key patents in electrolyzer and fuel cell technologies, as well as experience in manufacturing fuel cell prototypes and subassemblies." Dunn added, "With Ener1's aggressive market development agenda, many of the GES electrochemical technologies should be commercialized, accelerating the growth of the exciting fuel cell field."

Completion of the transaction will be subject to various conditions, including due diligence, necessary corporate and other applicable approvals, and negotiation and execution of definitive transaction agreements.

About Ener1, Inc.

Ener1, Inc.develops and markets new technologies and products for clean, efficient energy sources. Ener1 markets lithium batteries and battery packs through EnerDel, its majority-owned venture with Delphi Corp. Ener1 also develops and markets nanotechnology- based materials and manufacturing processes and components through its NanoEner, Inc. subsidiary. Ener1 develops selected fuel cell components and provides fuel cell-related testing services through its EnerFuel, Inc. subsidiary. Ener1's products have applications for markets that include power tools and industrial equipment, medical devices, hybrid vehicle propulsion and military communications. For more information Google Ener1.