Nickel Metal Hydride Batteries in Chevrolet S-10 Electric Pickup Trucks

November 13, 1997--Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. ("ECD") (NASDAQ National Market:ENER), and its subsidiary, Ovonic Battery Company, Inc. ("Ovonic Battery"), announced that the first Chevrolet S-10 electric pickup truck equipped with an advanced nickel metal hydride ("NiMH") battery pack manufactured by GM Ovonic L.L.C., the joint manufacturing venture between Ovonic Battery and General Motors Corporation, was delivered on November 12, 1997 to Southern California Edison. Detroit Edison and Georgia Power will each take delivery of an S-10 electric pickup with GM Ovonic NiMH battery packs today. General Motors is beginning a field test of 30 vehicles equipped with new, advanced technology NiMH batteries. The NiMH Field Test will be conducted in partnerships with several regional utilities which have been most supportive of the emerging electric vehicle ("EV") industry.

General Motors Advanced Technology Vehicles group will use the NiMH Field Test to learn about actual customer usage of these advanced EV batteries. Data gathered during the Field Test will permit accelerated continuous improvement of GM Ovonic NiMH batteries that will become available with the production availability of the S-10 electric pickup in the first half of 1998.

NiMH batteries provide more than twice the driving range of lead-acid batteries having the same weight. The GM Ovonic NiMH-equipped S-10 pickup gains range with no loss of payload-still 950 lbs.

ECD and Ovonic Battery are pleased that General Motors is proceeding with this next phase of introduction of advanced NiMH batteries in its vehicles. The director of manufacturing for General Motors Advanced Technology Vehicles recently said that General Motors is committed to using Ovonic NiMH battery technology in its 1998 EVs. ECD and Ovonic Battery, the inventors and developers of unique hydrogen storage principles and materials, originated the proprietary rechargeable Ovonic NiMH battery technology. This technology is rapidly becoming the battery of choice for EV manufacturers around the world. Its high power and energy, long life and robust design make the Ovonic NiMH battery an ideal candidate for electric and hybrid electric vehicles.