IRVINE, Calif., Jan 26, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall

 

Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc., (Nasdaq: QTWW) today announced the delivery of five hydrogen-fueled Toyota Prius hybrid vehicles to the City of Santa Ana, California. This is part of a larger South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) program to develop and demonstrate 30 hydrogen hybrid vehicles to fleets in Southern California. The formal delivery took place during a ceremony held today at the City of Santa Ana's vehicle fleet yard.

In March 2004, the AQMD awarded Quantum a contract to engineer a state-of-the-art OEM caliber hydrogen fuel system, perform accelerated long-term durability testing, including crash testing. The complete hydrogen internal combustion engine fuel system, including both the injection system and hydrogen storage system, was developed by Quantum at its Advanced Vehicle Concept Center in Lake Forest, CA. Included in the fuel systems are the company's patented fuel injectors, fuel rails, electronic control system and software, hydrogen storage, and an optimized turbocharger. In addition to performing in specified starting conditions and meeting certain drivability specifications, the vehicles have been designed and tested to achieve SULEV (Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle) emissions standards.

This event marks the first delivery of hydrogen internal combustion engine-powered hybrid vehicles and formal dedication of a hydrogen refueling station as part of the AQMD's hydrogen fleet and infrastructure demonstration program. Santa Ana is one of five cities partnering with the AQMD to demonstrate five hydrogen-fueling stations and a total of 30 hybrid Priuses, with internal combustion engines that have been modified by Quantum to burn gaseous hydrogen. In addition to Santa Ana, the demonstration sites for the vehicles will include the cities of Burbank, Ontario, Riverside, and Santa Monica, as well as the AQMD headquarters in Diamond Bar. Each city and the AQMD will operate five hydrogen-fueled Priuses for five years.

In order to stimulate the early demand for hydrogen, expedite the development of infrastructure, and provide a bridge to fuel cell vehicles, the AQMD initiated this effort to establish a network of hydrogen fueling stations and deploy a fleet of hydrogen hybrid vehicles. A key benefit of this program will be the opportunity to educate the public on the use and safety of hydrogen as a fuel through its demonstration in vehicles with which the public is already familiar.

"The AQMD's vision to support the development and deployment of hydrogen technologies to achieve healthful air quality in Southern California is spot on," said Alan P. Niedzwiecki, President and CEO of Quantum. "We believe this program will help expedite the expansion of a hydrogen infrastructure and bridge the technology gap between conventional gasoline vehicles and fuel cell vehicles, as this technology of the future is being commercialized."

About Quantum:

Quantum and its subsidiary, Tecstar Automotive Group, are leaders 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 has product commercialization alliances with General Motors, AM General, and Sumitomo. Quantum's customer base includes General Motors, Toyota, Opel, Hyundai, Suzuki, Ford, DaimlerChrysler, AeroVironment, and the U.S. Army.

More information can be found about Quantum's products and services at www.qtww.com.

About AQMD:

The AQMD is the air pollution control agency for Orange County and the major portions of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. This area of 11,000 square miles is home to more than 16 million people -- about half the population of the State of California. It is the second most populous urban area in the United States. AQMD is responsible for controlling emissions from stationary sources of air pollution and has transportation-related programs aimed primarily at reducing mobile source emissions and promoting the use of cleaner fuels and vehicles.

Forward Looking Statements

Except for historical information, the statements, expectations, and assumptions contained in the foregoing press release are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the Company's expectations regarding expected future revenues and operating results; future opportunities for Quantum; the Company's ability to fulfill orders in the future; and other statements about the future expectations, beliefs, goals, plans, or prospects expressed by management. Such statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially from those discussed in any forward-looking statement. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements include, among other factors, prevailing market conditions; the Company's ability to design and market automotive products; the Company's ability to meet customer specifications and qualification requirements; availability of component parts and raw materials that meet the Company's requirements; and the Company's ability to source alternative materials and suppliers. Reference should also be made to the risk factors set forth from time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including but not limited to those contained in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2005. The Company does not undertake to update or revise any of its forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes show that the indicated results or events will not be realized.

SOURCE Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc.

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