N@N

eTec Minit-Charger Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary

^{Published on 2008-12-04 07:22:29 - Market Wire}
 

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Electric Transportation Engineering Corporation (eTec), a wholly owned subsidiary of ECOtality, Inc. (OTCBB: ETLY), a leader in clean electric transportation and storage technologies, today announced the ten-year anniversary of the first commercial installation of eTec's Minit-Charger fast-charge technology. Initially developed to fast-charge electric vehicles, the technology has applications in various electric-power operations and is currently used in material handling, low-speed electric vehicles and airport ground support operations. December 2008 marks the ten-year anniversary of Minit-Charger's first commercial installation for material handling operations. The initial installation also remains the longest-running fast-charge operation to date.

"With over 4,800 charging stations in operation in over 270 facilities in North America, eTec Minit-Charger has powered more than 90 million operational hours, and is the most advanced and reliable fast-charge technology," said Kevin Morrow, Executive Vice President of eTec Minit-Charger. "By transitioning from battery-swapping operations to the eTec Minit-Charger system, our clients experience immediate cost savings, improved worker safety, and increased productivity. As the pioneering fast-charge technology, Minit-Charger has powered the material handling needs of Fortune 500 companies for over a decade, and has proven that fast-charging is the safest, most reliable, and most economic power choice for mobile vehicles. Through our unparalleled fast-charging experience, we remain the most qualified provider of charging stations for material handling and on-road electric vehicle applications."

Traditional material handling operations consist of swapping 2500-pound batteries out of equipment and replacing them with freshly charged batteries - a time-consuming process that slows operations, requires dedicated battery-charging and swapping areas, numerous spare batteries and poses obvious safety concerns. Utilizing eTec's Minit-Charger systems, material handling operations can recharge lift-truck batteries in convenient 10- to 15-minute periods (i.e. breaks, shift changes or lunch), eliminating the need for handling heavy batteries, reducing the amount of batteries purchased, and saving valuable floor space. By transitioning to eTec Minit-Charger from a battery-swapping process, warehouses and distribution centers typically experience a 40% annual cost savings and recover over 250 annual operating hours per truck.

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 battery fast-charge systems and fueling stations for electric and hydrogen powered vehicles. For more information about eTec or Minit-Charger, please visit [ www.etecevs.com ] or [ www.minit-charger.com ].

About ECOtality, Inc.

ECOtality, Inc. (OTCBB: ETLY), headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, is a leader in clean electric transportation and storage technologies. Through innovation, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships, ECOtality accelerates the market applicability of advanced electric technologies to replace carbon-based fuels. For more information about ECOtality, Inc., please visit [ www.ecotality.com ].

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.