U.S. Electricar Delivers Tenth Electric Delivery Truck to U.S. Post Office; Two Phase Electric Truck Program Successfully Demonstrate EV Effectiveness.

TORRANCE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 3, 1999--U.S. Electricar, Inc. (Symbol: ECAR) announced today that it delivered its tenth electric delivery truck to the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) in Westminster, California on Friday, January 29, 1999, completing a highly successful and pioneering effort in building EV postal trucks.

U.S. Electricar has been contracted by the Postal Service in a two phased program over the past several years to convert gasoline powered Grumman Olsen built Long Life Vehicle (LLV) delivery trucks into electric powered vehicles. This program was designed by the Post Office to test and evaluate electric vehicle capabilities to meet the Federal Clean Air Requirements established for Federal fleets. In phase I, U.S. Electricar delivered six electric conversion vehicles, three for evaluation in Merrifield, Virginia and three vehicles to Harbor City, California. Participating with U.S. Electricar in this program was the State of California, South Coast Air Quality Management District and Southern California Edison.

Based upon the successful operation of these EV trucks in phase I, the USPS initiated a second phase program which incorporated significant technology advancements, such as the U.S. Electricar designed Panther(TM) 60 drive system and battery management. The four vehicles delivered in phase II are currently in day to day operations at the Westminster, California Post Office. Based upon the two phase development program, U.S. Electricar has been the principal builder of electric delivery trucks for the U.S. Post Office.

The phase II electric delivery trucks are powered by U.S. Electricar's proprietary designed Panther(TM) 60 System, a fully integrated 60 kW AC induction drive system, which includes a 1.2 kW DC/DC converter, heat pump and power steering controller, and a built in 6.6 kW on board charger. Another unique feature of this system is that it allows the ability to charge the batteries with both inductive and conductive charging systems concurrently.

The Panther(TM) system is currently entering into production electric vehicles manufactured by Hyundai Motor Company, Korea's largest automotive manufacturer. The Panther(TM) system, installed in three separate vehicles, including a Post Office Delivery Truck have been certified by the California Air Resources Board (CARB).

The U.S. Electricar phase I and phase II electric USPS truck program has been extremely successful in demonstrating and confirming the performance characteristics, reliability, durability and driver acceptance of these vehicles as well as meeting the requirements for zero emission transportation.

U.S. Electricar is a leading developer and manufacturer of EV drive systems and components for electric vehicles with markets in the U.S. and internationally.