Press release

Brunnthal/Munich, Germany, April 19, 2010 – SFC, technology and market leader in mobile and remote power solutions based on fuel cells, and ESG Elektroniksystem- und Logistik-GmbH, renowned automotive engineering partner of the German and international automotive industry, together present an innovative power supply concept for electric vehicles at this year’s Hanover Fair. With innovative on-board CHP, customer acceptance, range, and winter performance of battery powered vehicles can be significantly improved. Intelligently dimensioned fuel cells automatically recharge the battery when required, while at the same time producing heat for battery conditioning and heating purposes, thus ensuring highest functionality and comfort even in winter.

“This concept represents a quantum leap for battery vehicles“, says Dr. Peter Podesser, CEO of SFC. “In winter, powering vehicles by batteries alone has not been a convincing solution for many users: the performance of a cold battery is insufficient, while at the same time power demand is dramatically increased by heating requirements. We offer a worthwhile solution to this problem by intelligently combining battery and fuel cell in a hybrid system. In addition, we enable fully automatic recharging independent of the power grid, thus freeing the customer from the ever present fear of not finding a power outlet when needed.”

“The fuel cell as a range extender supplies power and heat simultaneously. Our experience with latest e-mobility projects clearly shows that both kinds of energy are essential for electrical vehicles. Our concept and integration expertise at ESG enable us to create integrated solutions that make optimum use of heat and electrical energy. In this way, energy management and operating strategy will adapt to the individual situation and user”, says Wolfgang Sczygiol, Head of the Automotive Business Unit and Member of the ESG Management Board.

CHP (Combined Heat and Power) in electric vehicles is the simultaneous generation of electric power and useable heat for heating or battery conditioning purposes. The advantage of CHP is an increased range, as power is produced directly on board - when driving, idling or parking - and fed into the battery. This process ensures the availability of sufficient power for all the vehicle’s security and comfort functions. Full integration, including thermal coupling, between battery and fuel cell creates ideal conditions for the electrical vehicles optimum function even after having been parked outside in winter. In combination with modern battery management systems, surprisingly low nominal power is sufficient for the fuel cell to achieve a significant increase of range and vehicle performance.

SFC presents the EFOY and EFOY Pro fuel cells at Hanover Fair in hall 27, booth J66. Here visitors will also get information on the SFC’s extended fuel cell portfolio with new, even more powerful fuel cells and on the new all-in-one power solutions for industrial applications with SFC fuel cells. In addition, SFC again presents several commercializable electrical vehicles with SFC fuel cells at the fuel cell exhibit’s Ride & Drive area outside hall 27. Of course, these vehicles are available for
test rides to demonstrate the principle’s everyday suitability. What makes the SFC fuel cell vehicles so special: thanks to the on-board power generation they do not have to be recharged at a socket and feature an unsurpassed reach.

Additional information at www.sfc.com and www.efoy.com.

About SFC AG:

SFC AG (www.sfc.com) is market leader in fuel cell technologies for mobile and off-grid power applications serving the leisure, industrial and defense markets.  As one of Germany’s technology pioneers, SFC has won numerous innovation awards.  SFC has alliances with leading companies in a wide range of industries.  Unlike most other fuel cell manufacturers, who are in the research and development phase or run subsidized demonstration projects, SFC has shipped more than 18,000 fully commercial products to industrial and private end users for more than five years, and has created a convenient fuel cartridge supply infrastructure. SFC is DIN ISO 9001:2008 certified. SFC is based in Brunnthal, Germany, and has a sales and technical service office in the U.S. SFC AG is listed in the Prime Standard on the German stock exchange (WKN 756857).

About ESG Elektroniksystem- und Logistik-GmbH:

For more than four decades ESG (www.esg.de) has been one of the leading German companies for the development, integration and operation of electronic and IT systems. ESG has been a partner of car manufacturers and their suppliers for more than 20 years. With locations in Europe and America and a global network of partners, ESG completely covers the needs of its international customers for the entire product life cycle from development to market introduction to after-sales service. ESG is an expert engineering partner, an independent process and technology consultant, and an IT and training specialist. Leading national and international car manufacturers and suppliers trust in the expertise of ESG. For them ESG develops electronic and software systems, supports lab and serial vehicles, performs process and method consultation and qualifies personnel.

SFC Press Contact:   
Claudia von Junker und Bigato   
Public Relations   
SFC AG   
Eugen-Saenger-Ring 7   
D-85649 Brunnthal    
Tel. +49 89 673 592-377   
Fax. +49 89 673 592-169   
Email: claudia.junker@sfc.com

ESG Press Contact:
Ulrich-Joachim Mueller
Unternehmenskommunikation
ESG Elektroniksystem- und Logistik-GmbH
Livry-Gargan-Straße 6
D-82256 Fürstenfeldbruck
Tel. +49 89 92 16-2850
Fax. +49 89 92 16-162850
Email: ulrich-joachim.mueller@esg.de

SFC Investor Relations:
Barbara v. Frankenberg
Head of IR and PR
SFC Energy AG
Eugen-Saenger-Ring 7
D-85649 Brunnthal
Tel. +49 89 673 592-378
Fax. +49 89 673 592-169
Email: barbara.frankenberg@sfc.com