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Electric Fuel Announces New
Zinc-Air Military Battery
First Military Orders Will be Shipped
In February
January 30, 2003 - Electric
Fuel Corporation (NasdaqNM: EFCX) announced today a new 12 Volt zinc-air
battery for military applications.
The new AZAAP FB battery utilizes the same zinc-air cells developed
by Electric Fuel for the US Army's CECOM BA-8180/U battery. CECOM has
partially funded Electric Fuel's development of the high-energy AZAPP
technology since 1998. Electric Fuel will begin delivery of initial
military orders for the 28Ah FB zinc-air battery in February.
"This is the second battery model developed
by our R&D team in Auburn, Alabama", said Electric Fuel Chairman
and CEO Robert S. Ehrlich. "This is further proof of the great
potential our zinc-air technology holds for military applications. Our
strategic shift to defense related products, while continuing with our
zero-emission hybrid all-electric zinc-air transit bus program, is clearly
beginning to pay off."
The Model FB AZAPP is a lightweight, low-cost, disposable
zinc-air battery that operates at 12V. With total energy of 400 Wh and
specific energy of 350 Wh/kg, the high-capacity FB is expected to replace
or supplement lithium batteries in a variety of applications requiring
extended mission time. In addition to being lighter and less expensive
per watt-hour than primary lithium batteries, the FB battery is also
safer and more environmentally friendly.
About Electric Fuel Corporation
Electric Fuel (www.electric-fuel.com) is a world
leader in primary and refuelable zinc-air battery technology, pioneering
advancements in battery technology for defense and security products,
safety products and electric vehicles. In extensive field testing, the
recently designated US Army BA-8180/U battery made by Electric Fuel
typically provided 4 to 6 times the run time of a BA-5590, a primary
lithium battery pack widely used in the military. Electric Fuel batteries
for electric transportation have been demonstrated in the US (in a program
partly funded by the Federal Transit Administration) powering a full
size 40' zero emission transit bus for more than 125 miles. Electric
Fuel also produces life jacket emergency lights for air and marine use.
Electric Fuel Corporation, through its three operating
units, develops, manufactures and markets security and defense products:
primary and refuelable zinc-air battery technology for defense, security
and safety products, military applications and electric vehicles; advanced
high-tech multimedia and interactive digital solutions for the training
of military, law enforcement and security personnel; and state-of-the-art
lightweight materials and engineering processes to armor vehicles.
Electric Fuel Corporation is incorporated
in Delaware and has corporate and sales offices in New York and Denver
with research, development and production subsidiaries in Alabama, Colorado
and Israel.
Except for the historical information herein, the
matters discussed in this news release include forward-looking statements,
as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking
statements, as they are subject to various risks and uncertainties that
may cause actual results to vary significantly. These risks and uncertainties
include, but are not limited to, risks relating to: product and technology
development; the uncertainty of the market for Electric Fuel's products;
changing economic conditions; delay, cancellation or non-renewal of
purchase orders; significant future capital requirements; the Company's
ability to quickly and smoothly execute the change in leadership as
a result of its former CEO's resignation; and other risk factors detailed
in Electric Fuel's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2001, Electric Fuel's most recent Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q, and other filings (under the name Electric Fuel
Corporation) with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Electric Fuel
assumes no obligation to update the information in this release. Reference
to the Company's website above does not constitute incorporation of
any of the information thereon into this press release.
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