VANCOUVER and POZNAN,
POLAND, Nov. 29, 2016 /CNW/ - Ballard Power Systems
(NASDAQ: BLDP; TSX: BLD) today announced that it has signed a
Long-Term Sales Agreement ("LTSA") with Solaris Bus & Coach
("Solaris"; www.solarisbus.com), a bus OEM headquartered in
Poland, for the sale and supply of
fuel cell modules to support deployment of Solaris fuel cell buses
in Europe. An initial order placed
under the LTSA is for 10 FCveloCity®-HD fuel cell
modules, with deliveries planned to start in 2017.
Each 85 kilowatt FCveloCity®-HD fuel cell module that
has been ordered will be deployed as a range extender in a Solaris
Trollino model low-floor trolley bus. Solaris has signed a contract
with Rigas Satiksme, the transport operator in the city of
Riga, Latvia for 10 of the
Trollino trolley buses. These fuel cell buses represent a highly
flexible clean energy mass transportation solution, since they will
be capable of operating on routes that have no overhead or catenary
wiring.
Karim Kassam, Ballard's Vice
President – Commercial said, "We look forward to our long-term
partnership with Solaris. We believe this initial deployment of 10
buses will represent the first fuel cell-equipped trolley buses
deployed anywhere in the world."
Solaris is a major European manufacturer of city, intercity and
special-purpose buses as well as low-floor trams. Since the start
of production in 1996, Solaris has manufactured over 15,000
vehicles for delivery to 30 countries including Latvia, where the company has been active
since 2001.
The Solaris Trollino model articulated bus that will be
delivered to Rigas is 18.75 meters (61.5 feet) long and is equipped
with a battery. The onboard fuel cell module will engage as the
trolley bus moves into any portion of its route that does not have
catenary wiring, thereby extending the operating range of the bus.
The fuel cell module is a clean energy alternative to diesel
auxiliary power units (APUs) currently used in Trollino
buses.
Dr. Andreas Strecker, Solaris CEO
said, "I am extremely proud that we will manufacture the first
hydrogen-powered trolley buses in Europe in cooperation with Rigas Satiksme, one
of our most faithful customers."
Dr. Eng. Dariusz Michalak,
Solaris Deputy CEO added, "The contract we have just signed with
the operator of Latvia's capital
city is another milestone on the road to considerably increase the
number of hydrogen-powered buses in Europe."
About Ballard Power Systems
Ballard Power Systems
(NASDAQ: BLDP; TSX: BLD) provides clean energy products that reduce
customer costs and risks, and helps customers solve difficult
technical and business challenges in their fuel cell programs. To
learn more about Ballard, please visit www.ballard.com.
This release contains forward-looking statements concerning
market demand for our products. These forward-looking statements
reflect Ballard's current expectations as contemplated under
section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section
21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Any such
forward-looking statements are based on Ballard's assumptions
relating to its financial forecasts and expectations regarding its
product development efforts, manufacturing capacity, and market
demand.
These statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause
Ballard's actual results to be materially different, including
general economic and regulatory changes, detrimental reliance on
third parties, successfully achieving our business plans and
achieving and sustaining profitability. For a detailed discussion
of these and other risk factors that could affect Ballard's future
performance, please refer to Ballard's most recent Annual
Information Form. Readers should not place undue reliance on
Ballard's forward-looking statements and Ballard assumes no
obligation to update or release any revisions to these forward
looking statements, other than as required under applicable
legislation.
This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the
solicitation of an offer to buy securities. The Ballard
Common Shares have not been registered under the United States
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the securities laws of any
other jurisdiction and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an
applicable exemption from registration requirements.
SOURCE Ballard Power Systems Inc.