Contract

Proton Power Systems PLC 21 April 2008 Press Release 21 April 2008 Proton Power Systems plc ('Proton Power' or 'the Company') Proton enters partnership with major auto engineering company Proton Power Systems plc (AIM: PPS), a leading designer, developer and producer of fuel cells and fuel cell electric hybrid systems for the 'back to base' market, today announces that its wholly owned subsidiary, Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbH ('Proton Motor'), has signed a framework contract with AVL List GmbH, a leading Austrian automotive engineering company, to collaborate on the development of fuel cell hybrid systems and related measurement technology. Under the contract Proton and AVL will share their expertise in engineering and simulation, improving the overall customer benefit. AVL and Proton Motor intend to co-operate very closely in the partnership, where AVL will serve as the powertrain engineering and measurement technology provider while Proton Motor will be the proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell system provider. The contract establishes the formal basis for the expected joint activities of the two companies and will accelerate the offer and order procedure, as well as setting the parameters for intended project contracts. The framework contract will last for three years, with the option to extend. AVL has been active in the development of hybrid drives for over 15 years and is amongst the leading companies promoting and integrating hybrid systems into various types of vehicles. More specifically, the 'back to base' applications targeted by Proton Motor - such as materials handling, utility vehicles and mass transport can be commercialised at an early stage as they do not depend on the existence of a ubiquitous hydrogen infrastructure. As an example of such an application, Proton Motor unveiled in September 2007 the world's first ' triple-hybrid' forklift truck incorporating a supercapacitor and battery into an intelligent fuel cell system. AVL sees the hybrid as an undisputed, emerging technology in the vehicles market, as is evident in the product development strategies of all major automobile manufacturers. Moreover hybrids involving fuel cell systems are particularly suited for special on-road and off-road applications as has been shown by Proton already. AVL is therefore delighted to be working with Proton Motor to further develop this important technology for mobile applications. Felix Heidelberg, CEO of Proton Power Systems plc, said: 'We are proud to be a partner of such an established and well known name in the automotive industry; the partnership is a testament to the success of the Proton Power team in establishing our technical credentials. AVL's commitment clearly affirms us as a leading developer of hybrid vehicle systems. With the joint framework now in place, we look forward to accelerating the conversion of our numerous business leads into purchase orders in the immediately foreseeable future.' - Ends - For further information: Proton Power Systems plc Felix Heidelberg, CEO Tel: +49 (0) 89 1276265 0 f.heidelberg@proton-motor.de www.protonpowersystems.com Noble & Company Limited Andy Yeo / Nick Athanas Tel: +44 (0) 20 7763 2200 www.noblegp.com Media enquiries: Abchurch Communications Limited Justin Heath / Monique Tsang Tel: +44 (0) 20 7398 7712 monique.tsang@abchurch-group.com www.abchurch-group.com About Proton Power Systems plc Proton Power Systems plc is a developer of fuel cells and fuel cell hybrid systems for motive and back-up power supply. Proton Power has more than 13 years of experience in the fuel cell market. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbH, the Company has developed and produced a fuel cell module running on hydrogen and integrated this with an energy storage system to create a hybrid electric fuel cell system. The system harnesses the excess power generated by the fuel cell during partial load (such as stop-start operations) and uses the stored energy in peak demand times. The system thus boasts lower fuel consumption and more consistent levels of power delivery than conventional combustion engine or fuel cell-only systems, in addition to producing zero harmful emissions. Proton Power's market focus lies in industrial applications where 'back-to-base' refuelling occurs at the end of each shift or work period, such as in the materials handling and mass transportation sectors. In these markets, the commercialization of applications is possible at a very early stage, as they do not depend on the existence of a ubiquitous hydrogen infrastructure. Through partnerships with leading OEMs such as Skoda and Linde, Proton Power's technology is already deployed in city buses and forklift trucks. Proton Power also targets the upcoming market for marine transportation applications and provides the hybrid fuel cell propulsion system for Europe's first fuel-cell-powered passenger ferry, which will be operating in Hamburg from summer 2008. Proton Power Systems plc was admitted to trading on AIM on 31 October 2006 and is based in the UK. Its operating subsidiary, Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbH, is located in Puchheim, near Munich, Germany. About AVL List GmbH AVL is the world's largest privately owned and independent developer of powertrain systems for internal combustion engines and engine instrumentation and test systems for engine and vehicle testing. AVL has been active in the development of hybrid drives for over 15 years and has expanded capacity significantly in recent years to meet a rapidly increasing demand for development and testing solutions. It has completed over 60 hybrid powertrain development and testing projects at its engineering centres in Europe and the US for customers around the globe. Further, after the year 2000, AVL established a fuel cell system engineering team supporting the development of PEMFC and SOFC systems as well as the integration and control in mobile applications. Founded in 1946 and based in Graz, Austria, AVL employs 3640 people and is represented in 45 countries worldwide. In 2006 the company had a turnover of 537 million Euros. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
UK 100

Latest directors dealings