Electrosource Receives New Patent Protecting Basic Technology Until 2017

13 April 2000

Electrosource Receives New Patent Protecting Basic Technology Until 2017

    SAN MARCOS, Texas--April 12, 2000--Electrosource Inc. announced today the grant of United States Patent 6,027,822 for the Company's Coextruded Composite Material (C2M)(tm) technology.
    The new patent extends protection of the Company's advanced materials technology until 2017.
    "For Electrosource, the new patent is tremendously important," said B.E. Jay, President and CEO. "It acknowledges the unique metallurgical and electrochemical properties of our lead and glass fiber composite material. Several patents previously awarded for methods to manufacture and use the new material in high-performance storage batteries have proved invaluable in launching Electrosource Inc. The current patent may prove to be the most valuable to the Company's future."
    C2M(tm) technology is a process by which high-purity lead is coextruded with glass fibers to produce a composite material with mechanical, metallurgical and electrochemical properties uniquely suited for use as current collectors in lead-acid batteries. For all Electrosource lead-acid batteries, the flexible, strong, lead-glass composite material is the basic and critical component which enables the construction of light-weight, high-performance, long-lasting cells. Batteries using C2M(tm) technology may be recycled through the existing battery reclamation infrastructure.
    Electrosource Inc., develops and manufactures lightweight, intelligent batteries for electric and hybrid-electric vehicles, engine-starting and telecommunication stand-by power applications. Additional information about the Company and its products can be found at its Web site www.electrosource.com.
    This release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those discussed in this release. Risks include financial risks, development risks, manufacturing risks, uncertainty of market acceptance, delay in shipment or cancellation or orders, customer reorganization, as well as other risks that are detailed from time to time in the company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.