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HARDING ENERGY INTRODUCES NEW
HIGH SPEED CHARGER FOR QUEST^® BATTERIES

NORTON SHORES, MI — September 30, 2000 — Users of Harding Energy’s Quest nickel metal hydride (NiMH) rechargeable batteries won’t have to wait too long for their batteries to charge with the introduction of the Q2 Charger.

The Q2 Charger, which will charge up to four AA or AAA Quest NiHM batteries within one to three hours, is two to four times faster than previous charger models.

“The Q2 Charger is ideal for people who don’t want to wait eight hours or longer to recharge batteries,” says Dan McAdams, president, Harding Energy, Inc. “It allows those with high-demand, high-drain portable products such as digital cameras, CD players and personal digital assistants (PDA), to quickly recharge and reuse their batteries when they need them, giving the products more power, more consistently and more economically.”

Quest NiMH batteries are fully rechargeable, memory-free batteries that last twice as long between charges as other types of rechargeable batteries.

“The benefits are obvious,” says McAdams. “For example, by delivering more power over a longer period of time, digital camera users can take up to twice as many pictures on a single charge of Quest batteries, when compared with a single charge of nickel cadmium (NiCAD), and up to ten times as many pictures when compared with alkaline batteries.”

In addition, Quest batteries are environmentally friendly, containing no toxic metals such as cadmium, mercury, lead or lithium.

Q2 Charger Features

The Q2 Charger has four independent microprocessor controlled charging circuits and can charge both AA and AAA size batteries at the same time in any position. It is capable of charging 4, 3, 2 or only 1 cell in any combination, as well as charging a battery in any position at any time.  The charger signals with both a ‘beep’ and LED display to inform the user when charging begins, when the battery is fully charged and when a battery is defective.

The Q2 Charger Kit suggested retail price is $49.96 and includes:

·        Q2 high performance 1-3 hour AA & AAA charger

·        Four award-winning Quest Gold NiHM batteries

·        110V AC power supply

·        12V Auto Adapter

·        Two Quest battery holders

Distribution

The primary distributor for Quest batteries in the U.S. and Canada is Minolta Corporation, Ramsey, New Jersey.  For information on how to become a Quest battery dealer, contact Steve Morgan, Harding Energy, 231-798-7033, harding@novagate.com.

Harding Energy, Inc.

Harding Energy, Inc., headquartered in Norton Shores, Michigan, is the only battery manufacturer in the world exclusively dedicated to nickel metal hydride (NiMH) technology, from cell assembly to custom battery pack design and construction.

Harding Energy’s batteries are created from American invented, patented and proven technology.  They are produced in a state-of-the-art facility in Michigan by dedicated battery experts committed to quality and excellence in manufacturing better energy solutions.  This modern facility includes a fully equipped quality control department, where all materials and components are rigorously tested before being released to production and where finished products are inspected prior to shipment

Harding Energy is a true single source supplier, offering a full range of batteries and packaging.  The company controls all aspects of cell manufacturing, battery assembly and packaging, resulting in substantial cost savings and faster turnaround time.  The Harding Service Program offers specialized cell design, customized chemistry, charging methods, just-in-time delivery and much more.

Please visit the Harding Energy web site at www.hardingenergy.com.

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