1. Nitrogen Tire Inflation Tar Heel Green Performance, LLC

2. Agenda 2. Nitrogen 1. Branick Overview 4. Implementation 3. Scientific Data

3. Branick Industries, Inc.

4. Branick

5. Branick’s History Branick was founded in 1917 by Earl Branick Over 750,000 customers worldwide Focus on:  Nitrogen Systems  Tire spreaders  Tire inspectors  Tire service equipment  Under-car tools  “Standard of the Industry” 7400 Strut tool

6. What is Nitrogen? Nitrogen is the main chemical compound of the air that we breathe…  78% Nitrogen  21% Oxygen  0.9% Argon  0.1% Other Gases Air contains impurities, such as pollution and moisture. Nitrogen does not. HAZMAT tested – Non Combustible TPMS, Spalding, Wheelchair Michelin supports the use of nitrogen based on its ability to better retain pressure over a period of time. – Michelin technical bulletin, November 2003 www.GetNitrogen.org – All you need to know

7. Nitrogen Generation MEMBRANE PERMEATION METHOD Hollow Fibre H2OH2OCO 2 O2O2 Ar Air Nitrogen Air Nitrogen Oxygen

8. Dalton’s Law

9. Nitrogen Data

10. 110 Million Mile Test Double Blind Study – Government Funded  Air – No pressure maintenance program  Air - With monthly pressure maintenance program  Nitrogen  70 tractors and 117 trailers in long-haul operations  2 routes – Canada to LA, CA and East Canada to West Canada  January to August – Coldest to Warmest Months  Validate electronically 1636 wheel positions  Monthly check tread depth 4 points electronically on every tire.  Published for Clemson University Tire Industry Conference Significant Points  Nitrogen system improved fuel efficiency by 3.1% compared to tire pressure maintenance program using air  Improved 6.1% compared to no tire pressure maintenance program  Study also uncovered 86% gains in tire tread life  Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions could be exchanged for revenue on carbon trading markets  Results mirror data performed at Wal-Mart, Michelin

11. Why Nitrogen? For Commercial Fleets… Nitrogen helps maintain correct inflation pressure  N2 Migrates 3-4 slower than O2  No moisture in N2  Tires run up to 20% cooler Nitrogen Benefits:  Maximize Fuel economy – Average 6.1% savings  Casing failure rate in service reduced by 49%  Nitrogen decreases oxidation and rust on the rim and valve stem  Tire Life – increase average of 51%, get up to 5 retreads per casing  Better for the environment – GNI will write a press release See Nitrogen Inflation 101 – Fleet Maintenance May 2008

12. Fuel Efficient Tire – At What Cost? Fuel Efficient tires in independent studies were found to last only 32% as long compared to standard tires. Example  Standard Drive Tire – 320,000 miles  Fuel Efficient – 110,000 miles Get more miles with either tire with N2!

13. Industry Benefits Lower Operating Temp Fuel Efficiency Minimize Inertia Tire Life Safety Long-Haul Regional Mining Construction Refuse Transit EMS Pickup & Delivery

14. References Long-Haul Regional Mining Construction Refuse Transit EMS Pickup & Delivery

15. Owner operator Benefit Proven savings at www.getnitrogen.com/fleetwww.getnitrogen.com/fleet  $3800 Average savings per tractor  $600 Average savings per trailer 60 national top-off locations and growing  Locator Locator  Feel free to add air  then purge contaminants and add N2 when back in the shop Better ride –  Lower operating temp = softer ride Trailer gone for months? Who’s checking the pressure?

16. Implementation and Conversion 1. Determine Purity – 98% Branick – The only system that delivers 98% in less than 45 minutes on a tractor! 2. Site Evaluation 3. Air Audit 4. System Selection 5. Implementation 6. Training 7. Support

17. Implementation and Conversion

18. What to look for in a Nitrogen System  The highest Purity – Branick tank test = 99.4%  Fastest  The Best Membrane – Made in USA  Track record - Some lose capacity after 12 months  Most efficient  Branick’s Air to Nitrogen ratio of less than 2x1. Many are 3x1.  Low Maintenance and 5 year cost  Avoid carbon pre-filters – Hazardous waste, more maint, $199/yr  No need for $1,000 air dryer  Automatic shut-off switch  Hand-held N2 analyzer  Average life is 3 years, keep it portable and easy to replace The research has been confirmed by  Costco, purchased over 500 Branick units  Boeing conducted 2 years of research  Chose the same technology to provide nitrogen for the C17

19. Nitrogen in Tires Today  Aircraft tires – FAA Required (sec.25.733)  NASCAR, Formula 1, Le Mans and Indy Race Teams  OTR  NASA – The Space Shuttle  A vastly growing number of fleet and consumer vehicles

20. COMPUTERIZED FIELD TEST RESULTS AND SAVINGS BUS (A)BUS (B)BUS (A)BUS (B) Bus Brand : Inflation Type : N2 Purity : # of Tires : Tire Sizes : Tire Brands : Total Miles: Total Gallons: Bus Brand : Inflation Type : N2 Purity : # of Tires : Tire Sizes : Tire Brands : Total Miles : Total Gallons : Bus Brand : Inflation Type : Purity : # of Tires : Tire Sizes : Tire Brands : Total Miles : Total Gallons : Bus Brand : Inflation Type : Purity : # of Tires : Tire Sizes : Tire Brands : Total Miles : Total Gallons : Volvo Air 78% 6 385/65R22.5 Michelin 1024 143.67 Volvo Nitrogen 93% 6 385/65R22.5 Michelin 1024 122.25 Volvo Air 78% 6 315/80R22.5 Michelin 683 93.72 Volvo Nitrogen 93% 6 315/80R22.5 Michelin 683 83.81 % of fuel savings : 15% % of fuel savings : 11% TEST # 1TEST # 2 Fleet size : Gallons per year : Price per gallon : Annual fuel spending : 275 buses 4,500,000 $ 2.75 (average) $ 12,375,000.00 SAMPLE MASS TRANSIT AGENCY Anticipated annual savings with nitrogen : ($990,000.00) to ($1,485,000.00) 8 % efficiency increase12 % efficiency increase

21. TIRE COMPANY ENDORSEMENTS Product Service Bulletin # 2004-09 Nitrogen gas, as an inflation alternative to air, is becoming more prevalent in the market place and is being marketed as a benefit to the standard practice of using air to inflate tires. Goodyear supports the use of nitrogen, as an inflation gas, in all Goodyear, Dunlop, Kelly, Associate Brand and Private Brand products, based on the availability for a tire to retain pressure for a longer period of time. The use of nitrogen will not affect the tire warranty. Please be advised that even with the use of nitrogen as an inflation gas, regular inflation pressure checks are highly recommended. Please follow the manufacturer / supplier’s safety guidelines for the storage and handling of nitrogen. Goodyear supports the use of nitrogen, as an inflation gas, in all Goodyear, Dunlop, Kelly, Associate Brand and Private Brand products, based on the availability for a tire to retain pressure for a longer period of time. The use of nitrogen will not affect the tire warranty.

22. What the Experts Say: Fuel Economy and Tire Life Proper inflation = 3.3%+ improvement in fuel economy and 20% longer tire life US Government You can improve your gas mileage by around 3.3 percent by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure. - http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/maintain.shtml Michelin supports the use of nitrogen based on its ability to better retain pressure over a period of time. – Michelin tehnical bulletin, November 2003 Bridgestone says air inflated tires lost an average of 2.7 psi per month and nitrogen inflated tires lost an average of 0.7 psi per month. – Guy Walenga, Clemson Tire Conference, March, 2004 TMC found that 57% of vehicles have at least one tire more than 5 psi under inflated and 22% of vehicles have at least one tire under inflated by 20 psi or more. Goodyear says 15% under inflation = 2.5% decrease in fuel economy - Goodyear Radial Truck and Retread Service Manual pg.40 Goodyear says 15% under inflation = 8% less tread mileage - Goodyear Radial Truck and Retread Service Manual pg.40 Pirelli says 20% under inflation = 15% shorter tire life

23. Push for Green It’s a “Green” product Reduces Carbon Footprint and dependency on foreign Oil Talk to Branick about harvesting carbon credits from your nitrogen investment. Great for sustainability initiative. It’s a “Green” product Reduces Carbon Footprint and dependency on foreign Oil Talk to Branick about harvesting carbon credits from your nitrogen investment. Great for sustainability initiative.

24. Q&A Tar Heel Green Performance, LLC www.TARHEELGREEN.COM sales@tarheelgreen.com (919) 400-8733 Offices in Cary and Durham, NC