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BOLDER Technologies Joins MIT/Industry Consortium

26 April 2000

BOLDER Technologies Joins MIT/Industry Consortium with Mission to Convert Cars To 42 Volt Power Systems

    GOLDEN, Colo., April 26 BOLDER Technologies Corporation
(Nasdaq: BOLD) has become a full operating member of the MIT/Industry
Consortium on Advanced Automotive Electrical/Electronic Components and
Systems.  Members of this unique industry-wide group include BMW,
DaimlerChrysler, Delphi Automotive, Ford, General Motors and Toyota, in
addition to other key auto industry leaders from around the world.  A primary
goal of the consortium is the coordination and conversion of power systems in
automobiles from 12 volt to 36 volt as early as 2003, according to Roger F.
Warren, chairman, president and CEO.
    Consortium activity is focused on the transition to 42 volt electrical
systems (36 volt battery systems), as it is clear to the auto industry that
the present 12 volt system architecture is not capable of providing the
electrical power required to run vehicles of the future.  The transition to
42 volt systems is needed to meet industry environmental and performance
improvement goals, support increasing feature content and address size, weight
and capacity issues.  It is expected that selected high-end models will
convert to 42 volt as early as 2003.
    Warren commented, "The auto industry is committed to higher voltage that
will allow auto designers to adopt electronic systems that improve fuel
efficiency and air quality.  Functions such as power steering, power brakes
and air conditioning will be powered electrically from the battery system
instead of mechanically via belts and pulleys from the engine as they are
today. In addition, consumer demand for multimedia and enhanced safety
features is reinforcing the need for a 42 volt electrical system.  We are very
proud to be a member of the MIT consortium and believe that BOLDER's Thin
Metal Film (TMF(R)) battery technology will play a key role in the auto
industry's transition to 42 volt systems.  As part of the consortium, we will
be able to participate in the planning for that transition."
    John Kassakian, Director of the MIT Laboratory for Electromagnetic and
Electronic Systems at MIT and Director of the consortium, stated, "We are very
pleased to have BOLDER Technologies as a consortium member.  Their expertise
in advanced battery technology will make important contributions to our
goals."
    BOLDER's Director of Product Engineering, Richard Johnson, is a member of
one of the consortium's key task groups and is also Chairman of the Storage
Battery Standards Committee of the Society of Automotive Engineers.
    The importance of the auto industry conversion to a 42 volt electronic
system was highlighted in recent New York Times and USA Today articles.
"A 12 volt system limits the amount of electric power available to about
3 kilowatts. (Each kilowatt equals 1,000 watts.)  A 42 volt system can provide
up to 8 kilowatts.  The possibilities are tremendous."
    Johnson Controls, a consortium member who has licensed BOLDER's TMF
technology for its Inspira(R) battery system for 42 volt architectures, is
currently highlighting the opportunity on their corporate website:
http://www.johnsoncontrols.com/bg/NewTechnologies/index .
    Consortium members are: AISIN Seiki, Alcoa Fujikura, AMP, Audi, BMW,
BOLDER Technologies, Continental ISAD, DaimlerChrysler, Dana, Delphi
Automotive, DENSO, Dow Automotive, Eaton, Ford Motor, Furukawa Electric,
General Motors, Honda, Hitachi, Hyundai Motor, Infineon Technologies,
iQ Battery, Japan Storage Battery, Johnson Controls, Johnson Electric NA,
Lear, Magneti Marelli, Matsushita Electric, Mitsubishi Electric, Mitsubishi
Materials, Motorola, Omron Automotive Electronics, ON Semiconductor,
PSA-Peugeot Citroen, Renault, Robert Bosch, Siemens Automotive, Sumitomo
Electric, TDK, Tokai Rika, Toyoda Automatic Loom Works, Toyota, Visteon, Volvo
and Yazaki.