VANCOUVER, July 30, 2019 /PRNewswire/ - Ballard Power
Systems (NASDAQ: BLDP; TSX: BLDP) today announced a purchase order
from Solaris Bus & Coach S.A. ("Solaris"; www.solarisbus.com),
a leading European bus and trolleybus manufacturer and Ballard
partner headquartered in Bolechowo, Poland, for 12 FCmove™-HD fuel cell modules to
power 12 buses to be deployed with SASA Bolzano, the public
transport operator in Bolzano, Italy under the Joint Initiative For Hydrogen
Vehicles Across Europe ("JIVE") funding program.
The Urbino 12 hydrogen model fuel cell electric bus
(FCEB) – capable of traveling 350 kilometers on a single hydrogen
refueling – was unveiled by Solaris at the UITP Global Public
Transport Summit 2019, held in June in Stockholm, Sweden. The bus incorporates an
axle with two electric motors and is equipped with a climate
control system utilizing heat generated by the fuel cell module.
The 12 FCmove™-HD modules – a product that was launched by Ballard
at the UITP Global Public Transport Summit 2019 in June
– are expected to ship in 2020 and the buses are expected to
be deployed with SAS Bolzano by 2021.
"We have collaborated with Solaris for a number of years and are
very pleased to now provide our latest generation fuel cell power
modules for the Bolzano deployment," said Rob Campbell, Ballard Chief Commercial Officer.
"This now brings the total number of Ballard fuel cell modules
ordered for buses under the European JIVE program to 92, with
deployments planned in Germany,
France, the U.K. – including both
England and Scotland – and now Italy."
Benefits of Ballard's new FCmove™-HD compared to the current
generation heavy-duty fuel cell module include:
- Lower Lifecycle Cost – Expected 35% reduction in
product lifecycle cost, achieved through lower maintenance
requirements, higher reliability and 50% fewer parts.
- High Reliability – The fuel cell module is a completely
integrated system designed with a new generation of more robust
balance-of-plant components to improve reliability. Utilizing
Ballard's latest FCgen®-LCS fuel cell stack technology,
the Company delivers its most reliable product to date with an
expected operating lifetime greater than 30,000 hours.
- Simplified System Integration – The smaller, more
powerful fuel cell module enables greater flexibility in commercial
vehicle design. Reducing the volume by 40% and weight by 35% has
produced a compact, low-profile module that is ready to install in
tight spaces.
- Freeze Start Capability – FCmove™ is tolerant to a
wider range of operating conditions, including freeze start to
-25⁰C (-13⁰F) without external energy. There is no need
to plug in the vehicle or use special start procedures.
- Higher Temperature Operation – The fuel cell module
can operate at higher temperatures, thereby permitting a smaller
cooling package for integration flexibility, and generates HVAC
heating, significantly improving overall fuel economy and vehicle
efficiency.
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 product performance and other characteristics, product
deliveries and deployments. 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.