Capstone Working With US 1 Industries and CalMotors to Install C65 HEV Microturbine System in Class 8 Tractor-Trailer Truck

CHATSWORTH, Calif., May 17, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Capstone Turbine Corporation (www.capstoneturbine.com) (Nasdaq:CPST), the world's leading clean-technology manufacturer of microturbine energy systems, today announced it is working with trucking company US 1 Industries and CalMotors to install a Capstone C65 in a Class 8 tractor-trailer truck. The ultra low-emission C65 will serve as the on-board generator.

US 1 Industries (OTCBB:USOO), which operates over 1,400 trucks across the United States, will work with Capstone and CalMotors to install the low emission, microturbine powered electric drive system in a US 1 Class 8 truck that will serve the Port of Los Angeles and areas within 30 to 50 miles of the port. Class 8 trucks are large tractor-trailer trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating above 33,000 pounds (14,969 kilograms).

CalMotors, a green-focused company in Southern California that develops high quality electric and hybrid powertrain systems for cars, truck and other vehicles, identified the Class 8 truck as an excellent application for a Capstone microturbine.

"The Capstone turbine is well suited as an on-board generator in trucks because of its outstanding emission profile, high efficiency and low vibration and noise levels," said CalMotors Chief Executive Officer Mike Kasaba.

Today's hybrid-electric vehicles offer low emissions when driving in electric mode. However, their range is extremely short between battery charges. A microturbine dramatically extends the driving range of an HEV vehicle.

"Capstone already has a strong track record in installing microturbines in buses, and we've initiated a similar program for cars, trucks and boats," said Jim Crouse, Capstone's Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing. "The large number of trucks operating around the world, combined with trucking executives' desire to reduce fuel and maintenance costs, and government programs to limit vehicle emissions, make Capstone microturbines the ideal technology for vehicles."

The US 1 truck initially will operate on 100 percent battery power in zero-emissions mode. Then, when the batteries reach a pre-determined state of discharge, the Capstone microturbine will quietly and efficiently recharge the batteries on the fly to extend the driving range.

"US 1 wants to promote the use of trucks that operate with less emissions," said US 1 Chief Financial Officer Hal Antonson. "Capstone microturbines are the key to significantly reducing truck emissions while extending the trucks' range much farther than what's available in electric-only vehicles today."

He continued, "The Port of Los Angeles has a strict Clean Truck Program for freight-hauling vehicles that serve the port. By teaming with Capstone, US 1 will be a leader in reducing air pollution in and around this port and, eventually, in port cities across the United States."

US 1 and Capstone will gather data from the prototype truck for several months, then plan to install similar systems in additional US 1 trucks.

Capstone microturbines produce ultra-low emissions and require less maintenance than traditional combustion engines found in today's vehicles. The microturbines can run on diesel, bio-diesel, propane and natural gas. Capstone recently was awarded a Department of Energy grant to develop a flex-fuel turbine that will operate on agricultural syngas and hydrogen.

About Capstone Turbine Corporation

Capstone Turbine Corporation (www.capstoneturbine.com) (Nasdaq:CPST) is the world's leading producer of low-emission microturbine systems, and was the first to market commercially viable microturbine energy products. Capstone Turbine has shipped over 5,000 Capstone MicroTurbine(R) systems to customers worldwide. These award-winning systems have logged millions of documented runtime operating hours. Capstone Turbine is a member of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Combined Heat and Power Partnership, which is committed to improving the efficiency of the nation's energy infrastructure and reducing emissions of pollutants and greenhouse gases. A UL-Certified ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 14001:2004 certified company; Capstone is headquartered in the Los Angeles area with sales and/or service centers in the New York Metro Area, Mexico City, Nottingham, Shanghai and Singapore.

The Capstone Turbine Corporation logo is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=6212

This press release contains "forward-looking statements," as that term is used in the federal securities laws, about the use of our products in trucks and other vehicles and the environmental advantages of our products. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as "expects," "objective," "intend," "targeted," "plan" and similar phrases. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties described in Capstone's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission that may cause Capstone's actual results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied in such statements. Capstone cautions readers not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. Capstone undertakes no obligation, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to release any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

"Capstone Turbine Corporation" and "Capstone MicroTurbine" are registered trademarks of Capstone Turbine Corporation. All other trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

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Released May 17, 2010