Axion Power International, Inc. Announces the Shipment of its First Substantial Order for 16-Volt TurboStart(TM) Racing Batteries

NEW CASTLE, Pa.--May 2, 2006--Axion Power International, Inc. (OTCBB:AXPW) announced today that its wholly owned subsidiary Axion Battery Products, Inc. has shipped an initial order of five hundred 16-volt TurboStart(TM) Racing Batteries to Jerry Bickel Race Cars, Inc. of Moscow Mills, Missouri; an internationally renowned builder of high quality race cars, chassis systems and components for professional drivers on the NHRA Championship Drag Racing Circuit. www.jerrybickel.com.

Jerry Bickel, President of Jerry Bickel Race Cars, Inc., said, "We pride ourselves in building the highest quality race cars in the country. When we learned that the TurboStart racing batteries were being built again, we wanted them for our cars so we immediately put in a sizeable order. The TurboStart battery is made in America and represents the quality that we could not obtain from overseas manufacturers. We are quite pleased to renew our relationship with the TurboStart Team."

Thomas Granville, Axion's chief executive officer, said, "As the only North American manufacturer of a 16-volt race car battery, we are very pleased that Jerry Bickel and other motor sport professionals are responding rapidly and positively as we work to re-establish our TurboStart brand as the battery of choice for professional motor sports. The fact that Jerry has demonstrated his faith in Axion by being first in line with a major TurboStart order further validates our confidence in the long-term value of our TurboStart brand."

"In May we will resume production of our Antique Collector Car battery series. As one of two North American manufacturers that make specialty batteries for the collector car market, we expect to rapidly expand production in this high value market and focus on re-establishing our nationwide distribution network."

"We believe the professional racing and collector car markets will generate sufficient sales to make our lead-acid battery production a profitable line of business by the end of Q-3 2006. These niche market products only require a fraction of our total capacity, so their production will not affect the primary focus of our business model which is the manufacture of our proprietary e3 Supercells for product testing, field demonstrations and high value industrial markets."

Information regarding Axion Battery Products, Inc., and the TurboStart(TM) line of battery products can be found at www.turbostart.com.

Axion Power International, Inc., has developed and is preparing to introduce a new generation of rechargeable energy storage devices that are part lead-acid battery and part supercapacitor. Axion calls these devices "e3 Supercells." Where lead-acid batteries use lead-based electrodes for both the positive and negative electrodes, e3 Supercells use lead-based positive electrodes and carbon-based negative electrodes. e3 Supercells are expected to use from 40% to 70% less lead while offering longer cycle life; higher power; and faster recharge rates. In addition, e3 Supercells will be maintenance free and far less likely to fail prematurely or be damaged by overcharging or other improper use. Axion believes its e3 Supercell technology represents the first major advance in lead-acid battery technology in 30 years. Axion is implementing a platform technology business model, where it will eventually manufacture electrode assemblies for sale to established battery manufacturers that want to offer a high-performance co-branded product.

"Safe Harbor" Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:

Certain statements in this Press Release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995. These statements include, without limitation, statements concerning Axion's future business prospects and its ability to successfully complete the commercialization of the e3 Supercell technology. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of risk factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include all of the risks inherent in commercializing a new product (including technology risks, market risks, financial risks and implementation risks, as well as other risks and uncertainties described in Axion's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, all of which are available at www.sec.gov. Axion disclaims any intention or obligation to revise any forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, financial estimates, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

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