Quantum’s Hydrogen Vehicles Featured at Norsk Hydro’s First Hydrogen Refueling Station

Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc., announced the delivery of Quantum’s hydrogen hybrid Priuses to and their participation in the grand opening of Norsk Hydro’s first hydrogen refueling station.

Norsk Hydro’s first hydrogen refueling station is located outside the company’s research center at Heroya, Porsgrunn, Norway. It was officially opened on June 12, 2007 by State Secretary Steinulf Tungesvik of the Norwegian Ministry of Transport and Communications and Norsk Hydro’s President and CEO Eivind Reiten.

The new hydrogen filling station in Porsgrunn is part of the planned “Hydrogen Highway” between Oslo and Stavanger. 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 earlier this year.

“We are excited to participate with Miljobil Grenland, Norsk Hydro, Statoil, and the Norwegian government in building the foundation for one of the most progressive public-private hydrogen partnerships in the world,” said Alan P. Niedzwiecki, President and CEO of Quantum. “Quantum’s hydrogen hybrid Priuses are generating increasing interest from around the world as clean, fuel efficient alternatives to petroleum fueled vehicles. Based on the enthusiastic reception we received at the grand opening of the Norsk Hydro hydrogen station, we believe that opportunities will continue to grow for Quantum’s hydrogen hybrid Priuses throughout Europe and North America.”

Quantum, a fully integrated alternative energy company, is a leader in powertrain engineering, system integration and manufacturing of packaged fuel systems and accessories for specialty vehicles and applications including fuel cells, hybrids, alternative fuels, hydrogen refueling, new body styles, mid- cycle vehicle product enhancements and high performance engines and drive trains for OEMs and consumers of aftermarket parts and accessories. Quantum also designs and manufactures hybrid and fuel cell vehicles. Quantum also develops and manufacturers advanced lithium-ion batteries through its partner, Advanced Lithium Power.

Quantum has product commercialization alliances with General Motors, AM General and Sumitomo. Quantum’s customer base includes General Motors, Toyota, Opel, Hyundai, Suzuki, Ford, DaimlerChrysler, SunLine, Yamaha, AeroVironment, and the U.S. Army.