Electric-Powered Dragster Sets New World Speed Record

Altairnano Batteries Power Electric Vehicle to National Hot Rod Association World Speed Record for Electric Dragsters: Quarter Mile in 8.10 Seconds at 153.6 mph

TUCSON, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Altair Nanotechnologies Inc. (NASDAQ: ALTI), a leading manufacturer of safe, high-performance lithium-titanate battery pack products and energy storage products announced today that Dennis “Kilowatt” Berube has set the National Hot Rod Association’s (NHRA) Super Pro class world speed record for electric dragsters driving an electric vehicle powered by Altairnano battery packs.

“People think of electric vehicles as golf carts, but as Dennis’s new world record shows, electric vehicles are extremely powerful and capable of impressive speeds.”

Powered by Altairnano’s lithium-titanate battery packs, Berube's electric dragster, named the Current Eliminator V, accelerated to a speed of 153.6 mph at the Speedworld Motorplex drag strip on Saturday, December 15, covering a quarter-mile in 8.10 seconds, setting a new electric dragster world speed record. Dennis Berube started his first day at the track with the Altairnano battery pack and with limited time, on a single day, ran times of 10.04, 8.84, 8.40, 8.23 and finally a 8.10 second run - Very significant improvement with three of these times breaking his old record of 8.801 seconds.

“We are truly thrilled for Dennis,” said Dr. Alan Gotcher, President and CEO of Altair Nanotechnologies. “Not only is it a great milestone for Dennis, but it is a great milestone for the alternative energy transportation industry,” Dr. Gotcher continued. “People think of electric vehicles as golf carts, but as Dennis’s new world record shows, electric vehicles are extremely powerful and capable of impressive speeds.”

In 2006, Berube’s Current Eliminator IV, the predecessor vehicle his Current Eliminator V, earned more prize money than any other dragster in Arizona. In the NHRA’s Super Pro class, Berube successfully competes against conventional gasoline and alcohol dragsters.

A founding competitor of the National Electric Drag Racing Association (NEDRA), Berube holds several records for his speed and racing accomplishments.

ABOUT ALTAIR NANOTECHNOLOGIES INC.

Altairnano is an innovator and supplier of advanced novel, ceramic nanomaterials. A seasoned management team complements Altairnano's leading edge scientists, with substantial experience in commercializing innovative, disruptive technologies. The company has developed nanomaterials for the alternative energy, life sciences and performance materials markets based on its proprietary manufacturing process. This process also provides the foundation for its innovative AHP pigment process. Altairnano is a leading manufacturer of advanced battery pack systems, which are used in stationary power applications, and electric and hybrid-electric vehicles. For more information visit: www.altairnano.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release may contain forward-looking statements as well as historical information. Forward-looking statements, which are included in accordance with the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, may involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the company's actual results and performance in future periods to be materially different from any future results or performance suggested by the forward-looking statements in this release. Risks are identified in the company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q, as filed with the SEC. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release. The company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements found herein to reflect any changes in company expectations or results or any change in events.