VANCOUVER, July 24, 2019 /PRNewswire/ - Ballard Power
Systems (NASDAQ: BLDP; TSX: BLDP) today announced a purchase order
from Wrightbus (www.wrightsgroup.com), a leading bus OEM and
Ballard partner headquartered in Northern
Ireland, for 15 FCveloCity®-HD 85-kilowatt fuel
cell modules to power buses for deployment in Aberdeen, Scotland under the Joint Initiative
For Hydrogen Vehicles Across Europe ("JIVE") funding program.
The 15 two deck, zero-emission StreetDeck fuel cell
electric buses (FCEBs) are 10.9 meters (36 feet) long and can carry
up to 64 passengers. These buses share the same chassis with a
battery electric version, but avoid the need for long battery
recharging time, instead being refueled with hydrogen in less than
10 minutes. All the Ballard modules in this order are expected to
ship by end-2019 and the buses are expected to be deployed with
First Aberdeen transit agency by end-2020.
"We are very pleased to provide additional fuel cell power
modules to Wrightbus for the Aberdeen deployment, in addition to those
recently ordered for buses to be deployed in London," said Rob
Campbell, Ballard Chief Commercial Officer. "To this point
Ballard has announced a total of 80 fuel cell modules ordered to
power buses under the JIVE program, to operate in two German
cities, in Pau, France, in
London and now in Aberdeen, Scotland."
David Barnett, Business
Development Director for Wrightbus noted, "The [StreetDeck]
vehicle offers pioneering cities, like Aberdeen, the opportunity to replace diesel
buses with zero-emission buses on a one-to-one basis."
David Phillips, Operations
Director for First Aberdeen added, "We are delighted to be the
first bus company to operate these unique new Wrightbus
hydrogen-powered double-decker buses for the city of Aberdeen. It is a pleasure to continue our
partnership with Aberdeen City Council on this innovative project
and we applaud the council in its continued support of the hydrogen
bus technology. We look forward to operating these new
vehicles."
In addition to the 80 buses that Ballard has already announced
it will power under the JIVE program, earlier generation Ballard
fuel cell modules have been powering a fleet of 10 FCEBs for
Aberdeen City Council over the past several years, already
recording 1-million miles of revenue service. The modules have
demonstrated a high level of performance together with unsurpassed
durability. With the deployment of more FCEBs, Aberdeen is reinforcing its reputation as a
center of excellence for hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.
This project is funded by Aberdeen City Council, the
European Union's Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking
(FCH JU) under the JIVE program, and the Government of Scotland. The JIVE funding program is intended
to pave the way to commercialization of FCEBs by coordinating
procurement activities to unlock economies-of-scale and reduce
costs as well as supporting new hydrogen refueling stations. The
JIVE funding program targets a total deployment of 291 fuel cell
buses in more than 20 European cities.
About Ballard Power Systems
Ballard Power Systems'
(NASDAQ: BLDP; TSX: BLDP) vision is to deliver fuel cell power for
a sustainable planet. The Company builds fuel cell products that
reduce customer costs and risks, and helps customers solve
difficult technical challenges or address new business
opportunities. To learn more about Ballard, please visit
www.ballard.com.
This release contains forward-looking statements concerning
anticipated deliveries and deployments of 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.
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SOURCE Ballard Power Systems Inc.