Quantum Teams with Boeing to Advance Hydrogen Storage Technologies; Selected for...

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Mon Mar 31, 2008 9:07am EDT

Quantum Teams with Boeing to Advance Hydrogen Storage Technologies; Selected
for $5.6 Million Award from the U.S. Department of Energy

    IRVINE, Calif., March 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Quantum Fuel Systems
Technologies Worldwide, Inc. (Nasdaq: QTWW) today announced that its proposal
to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has been selected for final
negotiations for a contract to develop next-generation manufacturing
technologies for hydrogen storage vessels. The total value of this project,
which will be done in partnership with The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA), is
$5.6 million over a period of 3 years.
    The goal of this project is to leverage the considerable advances in
precision composite material processing technologies in the aerospace sector,
to develop innovative manufacturing techniques for hydrogen storage tanks,
with the intent to significantly drive down costs. The specific objective is
to develop and demonstrate an innovative hybrid process which integrates the
most optimal features of high precision aerospace and high-speed commercial
manufacturing techniques.
    Boeing has steadily established itself as a global leader in advanced
composite manufacturing technologies, which utilize lightweight,
high-precision composite structures for tremendous performance advantage.
Quantum's hydrogen storage systems utilize carbon-fiber reinforced composite
structures for volumetric and gravimetric efficiency.
    As the prime contractor, Quantum will provide overall coordination and
leverage its extensive experience in hydrogen systems. Boeing Phantom Works,
the company's advanced research and development organization, will adapt
precision composite manufacturing technologies that it developed for the
aerospace industry. The Quantum-Boeing team has partnered with the Lawrence
Livermore National Laboratory (LNNL) and the Pacific Northwest National
Laboratory (PNNL), to enhance and expand this development program. LLNL will
develop a unique high speed composite processing technique, which will be
modeled validated by PNNL. The program will highly leverage on the existing
expertise of the team members, and will be executed in three phases, starting
in 2008.
    "Quantum is honored to partner with Boeing on this strategically important
program. We are pleased by the comment from the DOE that the Quantum-Boeing
team represents a best-of-the-industry partnership," said Quantum's President
and CEO, Alan Niedzwiecki. "Quantum, working in concert with the DOE, was the
first to develop and certify a high capacity 10,000 psi hydrogen system, which
has evolved as the industry standard, supporting a number of hydrogen vehicle
programs today. This important program will take hydrogen storage technology
one step closer to mass-commercialization."
    About Quantum:
    Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc., a fully integrated
alternative energy company, is a leader in the development and production of
advanced propulsion systems, energy storage technologies, and alternative fuel
vehicles. Quantum's portfolio of technologies includes advanced lithium-ion
battery systems, electronic controls, hybrid electric drive systems, hydrogen
storage and metering systems, and alternative fuel technologies that enable
fuel efficient, low emission hybrid, plug-in hybrid electric, fuel cell, and
alternative fuel vehicles. Quantum's powertrain engineering, system
integration, vehicle manufacturing, and assembly capabilities provide
fast-to-market solutions to support the production of hybrid and plug-in
hybrid, hydrogen-powered hybrid, fuel cell, alternative fuel, and specialty
vehicles, as well as modular, transportable hydrogen refueling stations.
Quantum's customer base includes automotive OEMs, fleets, aerospace industry,
military and other government entities, and other strategic alliance partners.
    Quantum has also formed a new company with Fisker Coachbuild, LLC, which
is called Fisker Automotive, Inc. Fisker Automotive will offer a range of
environmentally friendly premium cars, incorporating Quantum's proprietary
high-performance plug-in-hybrid electric vehicle architecture, known as
"Q-Drive," into a unique chassis that will enable optimizing the performance
and vehicle dynamics.
    More information can be found about Quantum's products and services at
http://www.qtww.com
    Forward Looking Statements
    Except for historical information, the statements, expectations, and
assumptions contained in the foregoing press release are forward-looking
statements. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to,
the Company's expectations regarding expected future revenues and operating
results; Quantum's ability to finalize the agreement and fulfill the
requirements of this contract; and other statements about the future
expectations, beliefs, goals, plans, or prospects expressed by management.
Such statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, and actual
results could differ materially from those discussed in any forward-looking
statement. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from
such forward-looking statements include, among other factors, Quantum's
ability to coordinate with team partners, secure adequate resources to execute
this program, and general economic conditions. Reference should also be made
to the risk factors set forth from time to time in the Company's SEC reports,
including but not limited to those contained in the section entitled
"Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended April 30, 2007. The Company does not undertake to update or revise any
of its forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes show
that the indicated results or events will not be realized.
     For more information regarding Quantum, please contact:

     At the Company:
     Dale Rasmussen
     Investor Relations
     DRasmussen@qtww.com
     1-206-315-8242

     Dr. Neel Sirosh
     Chief Technology Officer
     NSirosh@qtww.com
     1-949-399-4698

     Investor Relations:
     RedChip Companies, Inc.
     Sanford Diday
     1-800-REDCHIP
     1-407-644-4256 x 115
     info@redchip.com
     http://www.redchip.com

          (C)2008 Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc.
                          Advanced Technology Center
                   17872 Cartwright Road, Irvine, CA 92614
                     Phone 949-399-4500  Fax 949-399-4600

SOURCE  Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc.

Dale Rasmussen, Investor Relations, +1-206-315-8242, DRasmussen@qtww.com, or
Dr. Neel Sirosh, Chief Technology Officer, +1-949-399-4698, NSirosh@qtww.com,
both of Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc.; or Sanford Diday,
Investor Relations of RedChip Companies, Inc., 1-800-REDCHIP, +1-407-644-4256,
ext. 115, info@redchip.com, for Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide,
Inc.
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