30th March 2007

Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide says it has shipped eleven hydrogen-fueled Prius hybrid vehicles to Miljobil Grenland AS, a participant and vehicle provider to the Norwegian Hydrogen Highway (HyNor).

The Norwegian government, industry participants, and the organizations participating in a joint effort called HyNor plan on creating a "Hydrogen Highway" between the capital, Oslo, and western Norway's port of Stavanger. The Norwegian HyNor plan calls for five refueling stations along the main highway from Oslo to Stavanger, the center of the national petroleum industry that makes Norway the world's third largest oil exporter, after Saudi Arabia and Russia. By 2009, HyNor plans to have enough fueling stations along the 580-kilometer (360 mile) route to allow hydrogen-powered vehicles to routinely make the trip. The ultimate goal is to extend the hydrogen infrastructure network through much of Scandinavia under the Scandinavian Hydrogen Highway Partnership, a joint organization formed by HyNor, Sweden's HyFuture, and Denmark's Hydrogen Link.

The Hydrogen Hybrid package for the Prius includes Quantum's electronic multi-point hydrogen injection system, turbocharger and intercooler, Quantum's compressed hydrogen fuel storage module and hydrogen fuel delivery system, and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) crashworthy design and validation. The eleven vehicles in this shipment were equipped with an extended range package, which was engineered by Quantum to provide additional hydrogen storage capacity and a resulting 30 percent increase in vehicle driving range between refueling. In addition to performing in specified starting conditions and meeting certain drivability specifications, these vehicles were designed to meet European safety standards, including the successful completion of crash testing to verify the safety of the converted vehicles.

"Quantum's hydrogen hybrid Prius continues to generate interest from around the world as a clean, fuel efficient alternative to petroleum fueled vehicles," said Alan P. Niedzwiecki, President and CEO of Quantum. "We believe that opportunities will continue to emerge to supply additional vehicles to HyNor, the Scandinavian Hydrogen Highway Partnership, and the rest of Europe."