ECOtality’s eTec Provides South Carolina’s First Hydrogen Powered Vehicle to the Center for Hydrogen Research
eTec’s HICE Silverado helps the Center for Hydrogen Research pave the way
for hydrogen education, research and development
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – February 22, 2008 –Electric Transportation Engineering Corporation (eTec), a wholly owned subsidiary of ECOtality, Inc. (OTC BB: ETLY), a renewable energy company that acquires and commercially advances clean electric technologies and applications, and The Center for Hydrogen Research (CHR) today unveiled the eTec Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine (HICE) Silverado truck in Aiken, South Carolina. Purchased by the CHR, the eTec HICE Silverado is the first hydrogen vehicle to be registered in South Carolina and will be used to publically demonstrate the viability of using hydrogen in transportation. To fund this project, the CHR received a $175,000 grant from the Washington Division of URS Corporation (NYSE: URS).
“As the Center for Hydrogen Research is pioneering a new wave in hydrogen research and education, we are excited to provide the eTec HICE Silverado to enhance their hydrogen research capabilities and to further demonstrate the viability of hydrogen,” said Garrett Beauregard, vice president of engineering, eTec. “The eTec HICE Silverado is one of the first hydrogen powered vehicles to be currently available for purchase. While there are still many issues surrounding the production, storage, and delivery of hydrogen, the work of the CHR and their purchase of the eTec HICE Silverado demonstrates that hydrogen has the potential to play a role in solving our country's energy problems.”
With technical assistance from project partners Roush Industries and Powertech Labs, eTec led the conversion of the eTec HICE Silverado to be fueled by a compressed hydrogen fuel system that produces nearly zero carbon emissions. Based on the full-size 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD pickup truck, the vehicle underwent extensive internal modifications to meet the technical demands and requirements needed to run on a compressed hydrogen fuel system. eTec’s experienced engineering staff will provide hands-on training and technical support for the eTec HICE Silverado that will allow researchers and technicians at CHR to easily understand the underlying mechanics of the system for future hydrogen research and testing activities. While eTec currently has several HICE vehicles in operation in Canada, and has orders for other HICE vehicles for US customers, the eTec HICE Silverado delivered to the Center for Hydrogen Research is the first eTec HICE vehicle to be registered and operated in the United States.
“The acquisition of the eTec HICE Silverado is a major milestone for the Center for Hydrogen Research in uniting South Carolina’s national laboratory, research institutes, universities, and private sector towards the vision of accelerating the development of hydrogen as a viable alternative energy source,” said Fred Humes, director of the Center for Hydrogen Research. “As South Carolina is quickly emerging as a national leader in advancing clean technologies, Aiken County and the Center for Hydrogen Research is quickly becoming a concentrated center for innovative research, development and commercial advancement of hydrogen. The eTec HICE Silverado will act as the ‘point-of-the-spear’ for the introduction and development of hydrogen infrastructure in the state.”
“For 18 years we have worked with the DOE and community leaders in this region to leverage the unique and special technologies at Savannah River Site for the benefit of the local economy,” said E. Preston Rahe, Jr., president of the Energy & Environment Business Unit, the Washington Division of URS Corporation. “The eTec HICE Silverado literally puts us on the road to demonstrating the practical aspects of hydrogen as a transportation fuel source not only for Aiken County, South Carolina and Georgia, but for the rest of the country as well.”
eTec, a wholly owned subsidiary of ECOtality, is a recognized leader in the research, development and testing of advanced transportation energy systems and infrastructures. Committed to commercially advancing clean electric technologies with clear market advantages, eTec manufactures and provides hydrogen internal combustion engine (HICE) conversions, battery fast charge equipment and fueling stations for electric and hydrogen powered vehicles. For more information about eTec, please visit www.etecevs.com.
About ECOtality, Inc.
ECOtality, Inc. (OTC BB: ETLY), headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., is a renewable energy company that acquires and commercially advances clean electric technologies and applications. ECOtality aggressively accelerates the development of companies and technologies that address today's global energy challenges. Through strategic acquisitions, partnerships and technology innovations, ECOtality strives to advance the market applicability of clean electric technologies to become accepted alternatives to carbon-based fuel technologies. For more information about ECOtality, Inc. please visit www.ecotality.com.
About the Center for Hydrogen Research
The Center for Hydrogen Research is the result of close collaboration between Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) and Aiken County. Located on the Savannah River Research Campus in Aiken County, South Carolina, the 60,000 square foot facility houses lab space for both the SRNL researchers and private partners to investigate and test the storage, production and supporting disciplines of hydrogen. The Center for Hydrogen Research is a member of the South Carolina Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Alliance and the National Hydrogen Association.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain as they are based on current expectations and assumptions concerning future events or future performance of the company. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are only predictions and speak only as of the date hereof. In evaluating such statements, prospective investors should review carefully various risks and uncertainties identified in this release and matters set in the company's SEC filings. These risks and uncertainties could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements.
Press Contacts:
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Thomas Walsh
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(212) 398-3486
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