Quantum Awarded Contract to Deliver Hydrogen Hybrid Vehicles to Norway

Image Courtesy Hydrogen.co.uk
A Hydrogen Powered World

IRVINE, Calif., May 9, 2006 -- Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc., today announced that it received a purchase order for 15 hydrogen-fueled Toyota Prius hybrid vehicles from Miljobil Grenland AS, a participant and vehicle provider to the Norwegian Hydrogen Highway (HyNor). These hydrogen hybrid vehicles will be put in service in Norway in 2006 and 2007 as part of the HyNor program.

HyNor is a unique Norwegian joint public/private partnership initiative to demonstrate real life implementation of hydrogen energy infrastructure along a route of 580 kilometers (360 miles) from Oslo to Stavanger during the years 2005 to 2008. The project comprises all steps required to develop a hydrogen infrastructure and includes various hydrogen production technologies and uses of hydrogen, in all cases with an adaptation to local conditions. The overall objectives of the HyNor project are to demonstrate the commercial viability of hydrogen energy production, hydrogen's use in the transportation sector, and the development of a hydrogen infrastructure.

HyNor will address various means of transportation, including buses, taxis, and private cars, and various transportation systems, including urban, inter-city, regional, and long national transports. The project will connect various activities and cities in a common network along one of the major national transport corridors, between the capital Oslo and Stavanger, the major oil and energy city in Western Norway.

"We see this as a new and interesting segment of zero emission technology for the transportation sector, that complements our activities on electric cars," says Bjorn Nenseth, Managing Director of Miljobil Grenland.

The hydrogen Priuses to be delivered to Norway will be based on Quantum's state-of-the-art OEM-caliber hydrogen hybrid vehicles operating in California. Quantum recently delivered 30 hydrogen Priuses to municipal fleets in Southern California. Quantum optimized the performance of the hydrogen vehicle system, completed accelerated long-term durability testing, and performed crash testing, to verify the design of the vehicles. Quantum subjected the final design to extensive system optimization and vehicle verification testing to ensure super ultra low emission vehicle (SULEV) emissions performance, drivability, durability, and crash survivability of the hydrogen Priuses. Quantum will also complete analysis and verification of the hydrogen hybrid vehicles to meet Norwegian Department of Transportation requirements.

"Quantum is pleased to be the supplier of the hydrogen hybrid Priuses that will be used in the HyNor project. We believe this program will help expedite the expansion of a hydrogen infrastructure, grow the acceptance of hydrogen as a transportation fuel, and bridge the technology gap between conventional gasoline vehicles and fuel cell vehicles, as this technology of the future is being commercialized," said Alan P. Niedzwiecki, President and CEO of Quantum. "In response to oil prices upwards of $75 per barrel, we are also seeing increased interest from around the world for Quantum's hydrogen, hybrid, and alternative fuel vehicle technologies as options to petroleum."

About Quantum:

Quantum and its subsidiary, Tecstar Automotive Group, are leaders in powertrain engineering, system integration, and manufacturing of packaged fuel systems and accessories for specialty vehicles and applications including fuel cells, hybrids, alternative fuels, hydrogen refueling, new body styles, mid-cycle vehicle product enhancements and high performance engines and drive trains for OEMs and consumers of aftermarket parts and accessories. Quantum also designs and manufactures hybrid and fuel cell vehicles.

Quantum has product commercialization alliances with General Motors, AM General, and Sumitomo. Quantum's customer base includes General Motors, Toyota, Opel, Hyundai, Suzuki, Ford, DaimlerChrysler, AeroVironment, and the U.S. Army.

More information can be found about Quantum's products and services at www.qtww.com.

About Miljobil Grenland A/S:

Miljobil Grenland AS was founded in 1997 as a professional electric car operator. The company has offered environmental friendly vehicles to the Norwegian market and has delivered more than 300 electrical cars to customers. Miljobil Grenland has worked out business concepts related to the use of environmental friendly means of transportation, concepts that have given the company a profiled position within this segment throughout Europe. Miljobil Grenland explores new zero emission technologies in the transport sector, and is active in development and commercialization of these concepts.

More information about Miljobil Grenland AS can be found at www.miljobil.no.