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ECD: GM to Use Nickel Metal Hydride Batteries in Chevrolet S-10 Trucks

13 November 1997

Energy Conversion Devices Announces General Motors Introduces Nickel Metal Hydride Batteries in Chevrolet S-10 Electric Pickup Trucks

    TROY, Mich., Nov. 13 -- Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.,
("ECD") , and its subsidiary, Ovonic Battery Company, Inc.
("Ovonic Battery"), announced that the first Chevrolet S-10 electric pickup
truck equipped with an advanced nickel metal hydride ("NiMH") battery pack
manufactured by GM Ovonic L.L.C., the joint manufacturing venture between
Ovonic Battery and General Motors Corporation , was delivered on
November 12, 1997 to Southern California Edison.  Detroit Edison and Georgia
Power will each take delivery of an S-10 electric pickup with GM Ovonic NiMH
battery packs today.
    General Motors is beginning a field test of 30 vehicles equipped with new,
advanced technology NiMH batteries.  The NiMH Field Test will be conducted in
partnerships with several regional utilities which have been most supportive
of the emerging electric vehicle ("EV") industry.
    General Motors Advanced Technology Vehicles group will use the NiMH Field
Test to learn about actual customer usage of these advanced EV batteries.
Data gathered during the Field Test will permit accelerated continuous
improvement of GM Ovonic NiMH batteries that will become available with the
production availability of the S-10 electric pickup in the first half of 1998.
    NiMH batteries provide more than twice the driving range of lead-acid
batteries having the same weight.  The GM Ovonic NiMH-equipped S-10 pickup
gains range with no loss of payload -- still 950 lbs.
    ECD and Ovonic Battery are pleased that General Motors is proceeding with
this next phase of introduction of advanced NiMH batteries in its vehicles.
The director of manufacturing for General Motors Advanced Technology Vehicles
recently said that General Motors is committed to using Ovonic NiMH battery
technology in its 1998 EVs.  ECD and Ovonic Battery, the inventors and
developers of unique hydrogen storage principles and materials, originated the
proprietary rechargeable Ovonic NiMH battery technology.  This technology is
rapidly becoming the battery of choice for EV manufacturers around the world.
Its high power and energy, long life and robust design make the Ovonic NiMH
battery an ideal candidate for electric and hybrid electric vehicles.
    ECD is a leader in the synthesis of new materials and the development of
advanced production technology and innovative products.  It has pioneered the
development of products and production technology based on amorphous,
disordered and related materials, with an emphasis on alternative energy and
advanced information technologies.  ECD's web site is http://ovonic.com.

SOURCE  Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.