For Immediate Release

For more information contact:
Steve Kratzer
Marketing and Business Development Representative
steve.kratzer@optimabus.com
316-779-7700 ext. 344

The Opus ISE Diesel Hybrid Low-floor Bus Receives Certification by the California Air Resources Board

Wichita, KS and San Diego, CA – December 19, 2005 – On Tuesday, December 12, the Opus ISE Series Diesel Hybrid Low-floor Bus received certification by the California Air Resources Board for meeting California emissions standards and regulations.

"Optima Bus Corporation has made a commitment to provide the transit industry with low-emissions, environmentally friendly, durable under-30' and -35' buses," said Michael Monteferrante, Chief Executive Officer of Optima Bus Corporation. "California has more stringent emissions standards than anywhere in the country, so receiving this certification reinforces our commitment to hybrid technology."

The ISE ThunderVolt® diesel hybrid system was certified at 1.8g/hp-hr NOx, 0.01g PM, and 15.5g CO, making it the lowest emission diesel drive system of any type for 30-, 40- and 60-foot buses. The advanced diesel hybrid system combines the proven Siemens ELFA™ electric drive system with the Cummins Heavy Duty ISB 260H engine, integrated and controlled by the ISE ThunderCan™ hybrid control system. The Siemens ELFA™ drive system has been integrated in hundreds of buses and has achieved more than 40 million transit miles, rendering it the most proven heavy duty electric drive system in the world.

The Cummins 5.9 liter inline 6 cylinder engine was selected due to its low emission levels, fuel efficiency, durability and excellent performance. ISE incorporates the Siemens drive system, Cummins engine, electric accessories (braking, steering, and air conditioning), cooling systems and a new energy storage system consisting of either batteries or an ISE/Maxwell ultracapacitor pack, and the company's proprietary control system into a complete hybrid drive system assembly.

The diesel-fueled Hybrid Opus received the certification for all of California except Southern California due to the California Air Resources Board's regulations restricting diesel-operated transit buses in that part of the state.

Currently, Optima Bus Corporation is the only bus manufacturer that has partnered with ISE Corporation to produce an under-30' diesel-fueled hybrid bus. The Opus ISE Series Hybrid Bus will begin production in 2006.

Optima Bus Corporation "transit tough" products - the revolutionary-designed Opus low-floor bus and nostalgic American Heritage Streetcar - have lived-up to their reputations with more than 175 Optima customers across the United States. For more information about Optima Bus Corporation, the Opus low-floor bus, or the American Heritage Streetcar, contact Melissa Noftsger at (316) 779-7700 or visit www.optimabus.com.

ISE Corporation, based in San Diego, is a leading supplier of hybrid drive systems and components for heavy-duty vehicles such as buses, trucks, trams, airport equipment, and military vehicles. ISE is a world leader in electric, hybrid-electric, and fuel cell technologies, and the U.S. distributor for Siemens ELFA™ electric and hybrid-electric drive components. For more information about ISE Corporation, the ThunderVolt® hybrid electric drive systems, contact Gary Willms, Vice President Business Development, at (858) 413-1736 or visit www.isecorp.com.