Barron's Publishes Y2K Article Discussing BAT International Public Service Message.

Business Editors

SAN DIEGO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 27, 1999

Barron's, "The Dow Jones Business And Financial Weekly," published today an article on page 17 titled "Don't Forget 'Cash Is King' Even If The World Shuts Down." The Barron's article was published in response to a BAT International (OTC:BAAT) press released (dated Dec. 17, 1999) that urged every American not to listen to anyone who says that they "know" that Y2K will be a non-event. Instead, the BAT International press release advised Americans to heed warnings of the federal and state governments, the Red Cross, and most of all the report by U.S. Senate Special Committee on the Year 2000 Technology Problem titled "Investigating the Year 2000: The 100 Day Report" (available at www.senate.gov/~y2k/documents/100dayrpt.)

The 12-page Executive Summary of this 190-page report clearly indicates the seriousness of possible problems that the Y2K "computer bug" might cause, both nationally and internationally. BAT International management strongly suggests that each citizen should read this report and make his or her own decision regarding how serious the Y2K problem might be and what preparations should be taken.

The report covers all sectors of the U.S. and world economies that might be affected by the Y2K problem. In one section of the report, the Committee stated that "it believes that the potential for disruption is significant in enough oil producing countries to impact oil availability and thus prices at the gas pump here at home. The committee urges the oil industry and the federal government to monitor this situation closely." (page 27 of the report). The report also states (on page 7): "Of greatest concern at the local level is the readiness of the 911 pubic safety answering points, and the ability to provide adequate response in the face of a potential increase in demand for service due to Y2k problems." These are only two of many examples discussed in the Committee's report.

As a public service, BAT International is providing a comprehensive yet easy-to-use 50 item "Y2K Checklist" on its web site at www.baat.com. The checklist is provided to BAT International and other organizations by First Millennium, an Internet e-commerce startup company at www.FirstMillennium.com that is also concerned about the safety and well-being of citizens during the transition from the 1900's to the 2000's.

"We are not saying that it is the end of the world as we know it," said Joe LaStella, president and CEO of BAT International. "However, BAT International is a think-tank organization that has concluded from the Committee's report and other reports that no one has a real understanding of the world's Y2K vulnerabilities, and unpredictability of the cascading failures among interconnected systems. There is a huge amount of evidence that some problems will happen and that some of these problems might be severe enough to be a serious threat to the safety and welfare of citizens in some parts of the United States. We are only urging everyone to take some precautions as stated in the "Y2K Checklist." Anyone with an Internet access can read the checklist from our web site at www.baat.com/Y2K_Checklist.htm.

BAT International is a publicly traded over-the-counter company. Stock quotes for BAT International can be obtained from www.stockmaster.com, www.bloomberg.com and www.aol.com. BAT International is organized as a holding company with major ownership in subsidiary companies that are commercializing advanced automotive and energy technology products. Technologies developed over the last years include electric vehicles, composite chassis, super-efficient or high power IC engines, electric bicycles, advanced batteries, lubricant additives, electric power generation, and Internet e-commerce.

This press release contains forward-looking statements that should not be used to make an investment decision. Please refer to the web sites www.baat.com, www.electrobike.com, www.baat.com/superbat and www.baat.com/pulsecharge and other sources for recent and detailed company information on BAT International and its subsidiaries, or call Investor Relations at [phone].