Clean Air Partners and T. Baden Hardstaff Form a Low Emissions Vehicle Venture in the United Kingdom

    SAN DIEGO--June 20, 2002--U.S.-based Clean Air Partners Inc. (CAP), a leader in the development and commercialization of high-tech solutions to reduce engine emissions, and T. Baden Hardstaff, a U.K.-based pioneer in the development of low emission trucks, have announced the formation of a joint venture which will be known as "CAP-Hardstaff."
    The new company, created to bring a new standard of low emissions vehicles to the U.K. market, will have headquarters at Kingston-on-Soar in the U.K. Midlands (near Nottingham). It will offer Foden trucks containing Caterpillar engines equipped with CAP's proprietary Dual-Fuel(TM) technology.
    Commenting on the venture, Hardstaff's managing director, Trevor Fletcher stated, "CAP-Hardstaff will offer the U.K. truck market the most efficient, cost-effective and proven technology for powering heavy-duty vehicles with natural gas. CAP's technology will bring a great advantage to U.K. trucking."
    Dan Kabel, CEO of Clean Air Partners, remarked, "Through the pioneering efforts of Trevor's organization, emissions will be substantially reduced and U.K. truck owners will see up to a 30% savings in fuel costs."
    An electronically controlled Caterpillar diesel engine with an integrated CAP Dual-Fuel system produces emissions at levels below the Euro 4 standard.
    "We have worked very hard to achieve the lowest possible emissions while delivering a product that performs beyond the expectations of the U.K. truck market," commented Dave Morgan, general manager of CAP's product development group.
    Current UK CAP customers recognize the Dual-Fuel advantage and plan to add more CAP-powered trucks to their fleets. CAP-Hardstaff will initially operate from the Charnwood Truck/Foden dealer in Kingston-on-Soar.
    "We are located in the middle of the country and close to major road networks where Foden serves a large customer base," remarked Fletcher.
    CAP's patented Dual-Fuel technology uses a small amount of diesel fuel to ignite the natural gas, providing diesel-like performance with natural gas emissions. The U.K.'s Department of Transport has created a system that will partially pay for the cost of installing CAP's Dual-Fuel technology. CAP-Hardstaff will help customers best utilize that system in order to get this clean technology on the road quickly.

    About Clean Air Partners

    Clean Air Partners was founded in 1991 to develop technologies that would allow diesel engines to operate with the low emissions benefits of natural gas while retaining the power, efficiency, longevity, and cost effectiveness of compression ignition engines. CAP offers time-proven products which are based on its patented proprietary technologies. Heavy-duty truck engines that have been retrofitted with CAP Dual-Fuel systems are currently deployed in the U.S., Mexico and Europe. CAP's sub-components are used in low emission vehicles produced by some of the world's largest automotive and truck manufacturers including Volvo, Renault, Mack Truck, and Daimler. CAP is currently developing innovative low emission Electric Power Generation products for the distributed generation market. For more information, contact T. Schaenman at 858/332-4830 (tschaenman@cleanairpartners.com) or visit the Web site at www.cleanairpartners.com.

    About T. Baden Hardstaff

    Since its formation over 140 years ago, T. Baden Hardstaff parent company to the Hardstaff Group, has earned itself the reputation as a reliable and experienced service provider to the U.K. road haulage industry. Inspired by an enterprising spirit, Hardstaff has remained at the forefront of technological and environmental change. In 1997, the firm was awarded the Charnwood Trucks, Foden dealership for the Midlands area of England. Since that time, the dealership has grown to be one of the best examples of a modern dealership in the U.K., and has from the outset concentrated on the quality of products and services it offers. The firm specializes in leading edge technology that optimizes both vehicle and driver efficiencies, and provides data capture and reporting services, fully integrated and supported by its own accredited training organization. For more information, contact T. Fletcher at The Hardstaff Group 011 44 115 983 2300 (tlfletcher@hardstaffgroup.co.uk) or visit the Hardstaff/Charnwood Trucks Web sites at www.hardstaffgroup.co.uk and www.charnwood-trucks.co.uk.