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Vanner Selects Maxwell Technologies Ultracapacitor Modules for Retrofit Cold Starting System for Chicago Transit Buses

Posted on: Wednesday, 7 January 2009, 07:30 CST

Ultracapacitors Provide Burst Power for Quick, Reliable, Diesel Engine Starting at Low Temperature

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Vanner Inc., a manufacturer of electrical power conversion products, has selected Maxwell Technologies' (Nasdaq: MXWL) BOOSTCAP(R) ultracapacitor modules to provide burst power for a retrofit diesel engine starter system that Vanner has won a contract to install in Chicago transit buses.

David Schramm, Maxwell's president and chief executive officer, said that Vanner is purchasing 460 16-volt BMOD0500 modules through Maxwell's channel partner, Tecate Industries. Each ultracapacitor module incorporates six 3,000-farad BOOSTCAP cells to provide the power required for Vanner's StartSentry(R) system.

Earlier this year, the Chicago Transit Board approved a $1.3 million contract with Vanner for the purchase and installation of the starter systems into Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) buses, beginning with 460 buses that are stored outdoors at the CTA's North Park and Forest Glen garages. During the winter months, when temperatures fall below freezing, vehicle batteries tend to lose voltage, which reduces their cranking power and frequently requires that buses be started with an external jump start.

"If it's below 25 degrees, buses stored outside must be started and the engines allowed to run for up to an hour to ensure proper operation," said CTA President Ron Huberman. "By retrofitting our buses with these devices, CTA will be able to reduce the amount of time buses idle, lower emissions and noise for our neighbors, as well as improve fuel efficiency by 30 percent during the winter months."

Vanner's ultracapacitor-based StartSentry starting system is designed to hold a charge of energy so that the ultracapacitor can aid in the starting of the vehicle. As the ultracapacitor provides the bulk of the power when the vehicle is started, the life of the battery and starter is increased. If the battery voltage is too low for the vehicle to be started, the ultracapacitor module will act as a "defibrillator" to provide an on-board jump start. Unlike batteries, which generate and store energy through an electrochemical process, ultracapacitors store energy electrostatically, enabling them to deliver full power output at extreme temperatures down to 40 degrees below zero. Installation of the first 460 StartSentry systems is expected to be completed by May 2009.

Maxwell's BOOSTCAP ultracapacitor cells and modules meet or exceed demanding transportation industry requirements for both watt-hours of energy storage and watts of power delivery per kilogram, and are designed and constructed to perform reliably for more than one million discharge-recharge cycles. The BMOD0500 16-volt module features a compact, rugged, fully enclosed and splash proof design, polarized waterproof connectors, individual cell balancing and includes voltage and temperature sensor output.

About Maxwell: Maxwell Technologies is a leading developer and manufacturer of innovative, cost-effective energy storage and power delivery solutions. Our BOOSTCAP(R) ultracapacitor cells and multi-cell modules provide safe and reliable power solutions for applications in consumer and industrial electronics, transportation and telecommunications. Our CONDIS(R) high-voltage grading and coupling capacitors help to ensure the safety and reliability of electric utility infrastructure and other applications involving transport, distribution and measurement of high-voltage electrical energy. Our radiation-mitigated microelectronic products include power modules, memory modules and single board computers that incorporate powerful commercial silicon for superior performance and high reliability in aerospace applications. For more information, please visit www.maxwell.com.

Forward-Looking Statements: Statements in this news release that are "forward-looking statements" are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially because of factors such as:

• development and acceptance of products based on new technologies;
• demand for original equipment manufacturers' products reaching anticipated levels;
• general economic conditions in the markets served by the company's products;
• cost-effective manufacturing of new products;
• the impact of competitive products and pricing;
• risks and uncertainties involved in foreign operations, including the impact of currency fluctuations;
• product liability or warranty claims in excess of our reserves.

For further information regarding risks and uncertainties associated with Maxwell's business, please refer to the "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Risk Factors" sections of Maxwell's SEC filings, including, but not limited to, our annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, copies of which may be obtained by contacting our investor relations department at (858) 503-3434 or at our investor relations website at http://www.maxwell.com/investors/sec-filing.asp .

All information in this release is as of January 7, 2009. The company undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement to conform the statement to actual results or changes in the company's expectations.

Contacts: Media & Investor Michael Sund, +1 (858) 503-3233; email: msund@maxwell.com Technical & Sales Asia: Brian Eichler, +1 (858) 503-3326; email: beichler@maxwell.com North America: Brendan Andrews, +1 (858) 503-3331; email: bandrews@maxwell.com Europe: Raphael Waeber, +41 (26) 4118553; email: rwaeber@maxwell.com Contacts: Vanner: Doug Adams, +1 (614) 235-4090; email: douga@vanner.com Tecate Ind. Inc.: Tom Wight, +1 (619) 398-9700; email: tomw@tecategroup.com

SOURCE Maxwell Technologies

Source: PR Newswire

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