Dr. Daniel Sperling & Dr. Joseph Romm Present Their Views in a Debate at the EDTA Conference & Exposition

July 21, 2004—Washington, DC—The EDTA Conference and Exposition will feature a timely debate on September 23 that promises to be an exciting and provocative discussion about the challenges we face during the transition to a hydrogen economy. Two foremost leaders in the industry will participate: Dr. Daniel Sperling, Director of the Institute of Transportation Studies at the University of California-Davis, and Dr. Joseph Romm, Executive Director of the Center for Energy and Climate Solutions and author of "The Hype About Hydrogen: Fact and Fiction in the Race to Save the Climate". Supporters and skeptics alike will have an opinion about this question, which occurs at a time when fuel cell electric vehicles and the development of a hydrogen infrastructure are hot topics in the media, government and the international community.

What: A debate about the technological and political challenges faced in the transition to a hydrogen economy, debated by two foremost leaders on the issue: Dr. Joseph Romm, Executive Director and Founder of the Center for Energy and Climate Solutions and author of "The Hype About Hydrogen: Fact and Fiction in a Race to Save the Climate", and Dr. Daniel Sperling, Director of the Institute of Transportation Studies at the University of California, Davis, and author of "The Hydrogen Energy Transition"

When: Thursday, September 23, 2004 from 12:00pm-1:00pm

Where: 2004 EDTA Conference & Exposition / Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center / Orlando, Florida

Why: Dr. Sperling and Dr. Romm are top experts about fuel cell electric vehicles and supporting infrastructure, with very different views on the practicality and reality of a true hydrogen economy.

About the Participants:

Dr. Joseph Romm is the former Acting Assistant Secretary of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy. He has written and lectured widely on energy technology, environmental management, and competitiveness, and is the author of Cool Companies: How the Best Businesses Boost Profits and Productivity By Cutting Greenhouse Gas Emissions, and Lean and Clean Management. His work has appeared in the Washington Post, the New York Times, Science, Atlantic Monthly, Business 2.0, Forbes, Technology Review and Foreign Affairs.

Dr. Daniel Sperling is an expert on transportation technology assessment, and environmental aspects of transportation policy. In the last 20 years, he has authored or co-authored over 160 technical papers and eight books. Most recently, Dr. Sperling and ITS-Davis received national media coverage with the announcement of an ambitious four-year research and outreach program entitled "Transportation and the Hydrogen Economy: Pathways and Strategies" that will address phases of the transition to a hydrogen economy.

The three-day EDTA Conference and Exposition features a complete roster of industry experts addressing topics such as rising oil prices, gas-electric hybrid car mania, and the future of fuel cells. Leading automotive and industrial vehicle manufacturers, suppliers, technology developers, academia and government officials will discuss three important facets of electric drive: technology, market development and policy. With an auto-caliber exposition floor, a diverse agenda, and a Ride 'n' Drive of current and future battery, hybrid and fuel cell vehicles, the event is expected to be the largest gathering of the electric drive industry in North America this year.

Media Note: The debate is open to registered conference delegates and credentialed media. Apply for media credentials online at www.edtaconference.com. The EDTA Conference 2004 Media Day will be on Tuesday, September 21, in conjunction with the Ride 'n' Drive and Exhibitor Press Conferences.

The exposition floor will feature American Honda, Ford, General Motors, Toyota, Lexus, as well as Dana Corp, Enova Systems, Michelin, Cobasys, Hydrogenics, WaveCrest Labs, the U.S. Department of Energy, and many more leading companies of the electric drive industry.

A complete conference agenda and media registration are available online at www.edtaconference.com.

The Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA) is the industry association working to advance electric vehicles and supporting infrastructure through policy, information and communication initiatives in the United States. EDTA is the premier organizer of electric transportation industry events and conferences, and EDTA is pleased to sponsor all international Electric Vehicle Symposia (EVS) held in the Americas, as well as the EDTA Conference series. For more information on EDTA, visit www.electricdrive.org.