| IRVINE, Calif.--
Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc., (Nasdaq: QTWW) today
announced the delivery of Quantum's hydrogen hybrid Priuses to and their
participation in the grand opening of Norsk Hydro's first hydrogen refueling
station.
Norsk Hydro's first hydrogen refueling
station is located outside the company's research center at Heroya, Porsgrunn,
Norway. It was officially opened on June 12, 2007 by State Secretary Steinulf
Tungesvik of the Norwegian Ministry of Transport and Communications and
Norsk Hydro's President and CEO Eivind Reiten.
The new hydrogen filling station
in Porsgrunn is part of the planned "Hydrogen Highway" between Oslo and
Stavanger. The Norwegian government, industry participants, and the organizations
participating in a joint effort called HyNor plan on creating a "Hydrogen
Highway" between the capital, Oslo, and western Norway's port of Stavanger.
The Norwegian HyNor plan calls for five refueling stations along the main
highway from Oslo to Stavanger, the center of the national petroleum industry
that makes Norway the world's third largest oil exporter, after Saudi Arabia
and Russia. By 2009, HyNor plans to have enough fueling stations along
the 580-kilometer (360 mile) route to allow hydrogen-powered vehicles to
routinely make the trip. The ultimate goal is to extend the hydrogen infrastructure
network through much of Scandinavia under the Scandinavian Hydrogen Highway
Partnership, a joint organization formed by HyNor, Sweden's HyFuture, and
Denmark's Hydrogen Link earlier this year.
"We are excited to participate with
Miljobil Grenland, Norsk Hydro, Statoil, and the Norwegian government in
building the foundation for one of the most progressive public-private
hydrogen partnerships in the world," said Alan P. Niedzwiecki, President
and CEO of Quantum. "Quantum's hydrogen hybrid Priuses are generating increasing
interest from around the world as clean, fuel efficient alternatives to
petroleum fueled vehicles. Based on the enthusiastic reception we received
at the grand opening of the Norsk Hydro hydrogen station, we believe that
opportunities will continue to grow for Quantum's hydrogen hybrid Priuses
throughout Europe and North America." |