Ovonic NiMH Batteries Power Electric Vehicles To Victory at the American Tour de Sol

9 June 1999
Ovonic NiMH Batteries Power Electric Vehicles To Victory at the American Tour de Sol
           Ovonic NiMH Batteries Push Beyond the 200-Mile Threshold
                        For the Sixth Consecutive Year

    TROY, Mich., June 8 -- Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.
("ECD") today announced that nickel metal hydride ("NiMH")
batteries developed by its subsidiary, Ovonic Battery Company, Inc. ("Ovonic
Battery"), powered several electric vehicles ("EVs") to victory at this year's
Northeast Sustainable Energy Association's American Tour de Sol competition.
A Solectria Force, entered by Ovonic Battery and powered by advanced Ovonic
NiMH batteries, achieved a range of 217 miles, with most of the miles
performed at highway speed.  This represents the sixth consecutive year that
Ovonic batteries have powered electric vehicles beyond the 200-mile threshold.
    Ovonic NiMH-powered EVs entered in the production category were awarded
first and second place in the overall competition including acceleration,
handling and consumer acceptability as well as range and energy efficiency.  A
Solectria Force, entered by EVermont and powered by NiMH batteries
manufactured by Ovonic Battery licensee GP Batteries International, Ltd. ("GP
Batteries") took first place, demonstrating a range of 142 miles.  The
Solectria Force entered by Ovonic Battery was awarded second place overall.
All ranges were achieved on a single charge.  In the two-wheeler division, a
scooter entered by Green Fuel Resources Ltd. of Singapore, powered by Ovonic
NiMH batteries manufactured by GP Batteries, achieved the highest range, over
100 km.
    Commenting on the victories, Stan Ovshinsky, CEO of ECD and Ovonic
Battery, said, "These award-winning performances underscore the superior
energy density of Ovonic NiMH batteries, which enable range performance of
electric vehicles to approach that of conventional gas-powered vehicles.  We
plan to continue to aggressively market Ovonic's clear performance advantages
to encourage greater commercialization of electric and hybrid electric
vehicles."
    Advanced NiMH batteries developed by Ovonic Battery are the enabling
technology that makes electric vehicles practical for urban driving
conditions.
    Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. is a leader in the synthesis of new
materials and the development of advanced production technology and innovative
products.  ECD has pioneered the development of products and production
technology based on amorphous, disordered and related materials, with an
emphasis on alternative energy and advanced information technologies.  ECD's
web site is http://ovonic.com.
    This release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of
the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995.  Such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions which ECD, as
of the date of this release, believes to be reasonable and appropriate.  ECD
cautions, however, that the actual facts and conditions that may exist in the
future could vary materially from the assumed facts and conditions upon which
such forward-looking statements are based.