VANCOUVER and PAU, FRANCE, Dec. 17,
2019 /PRNewswire/ - Ballard Power Systems (NASDAQ: BLDP;
TSX: BLDP) today announced that 8 ExquiCity tram-buses built by Van
Hool NV ("Van Hool"; www.vanhool.be) and powered by 8 Ballard
FCveloCity®-HD 100-kilowatt fuel cell modules have been
inaugurated at a ceremony in Pau, France and are now in revenue service in Pau's
Bus Rapid Transit System.
Today's ceremony was attended by local dignitaries, including
Mr. François Bayrou, Mayor of Pau. The Van Hool ExquiCity tram-bus
also received the prestigious "Bus of the Year" award and the
"Ecology Label" sustainability award at the Busworld Europe event
held in October 2019 in Brussels, Belgium.
Ballard initially announced a Letter of Intent in September,
2017 and shipped modules to Van Hool
in 2018. These first ever fuel cell-powered tram-buses were
subsequently delivered to Pau in 2019 and are being operated by the
SMTU-PPP (Syndicat Mixte de Transports urbains – Pau Portes des Pyrénées) and the STAP (Société
de Transport de l'Agglomération Paloise).
The clean energy hybrid tram-buses use fuel cells for primary
power and lithium batteries for additional power when needed, with
the only emission being water vapour. Each tram-bus is over 18
meters (60 feet) long, has capacity for 125 passengers and can
operate more than 300 kilometers (185 miles) between hydrogen
refuelings.
In addition to environmental benefits, hybrid fuel cell
tram-buses offer a number of important advantages, including: high
level of operational flexibility and productivity; high level of
passenger comfort and safety; lower cost than a traditional
tram.
Jesper Themsen, President and CEO of Ballard Power Systems
Europe A/S said, "This first ever deployment of fuel cell-powered
tram-buses is an exciting event in our ongoing partnership and
collaboration with Van Hool, a
leading European bus OEM. It also represents another step forward
in the growing momentum behind zero-emission fuel cell adoption in
Europe's transportation sector.
Ballard's customer service organization at our Hobro, Denmark facility is available to support the
ExquiCity fleet as well as all other Ballard-powered buses
operating in Europe."
The tram-bus deployment in Pau is partially funded by
Europe's FCH-JU program. GNVERT, a
subsidiary of ENGIE, constructed and operates the hydrogen
refueling station for the tram-buses.
About Ballard Power Systems
Ballard Power Systems'
(NASDAQ: BLDP; TSX: BLDP) vision is to deliver fuel cell power for
a sustainable planet. Ballard zero-emission PEM fuel cells are
enabling electrification of mobility, including buses, commercial
trucks, trains, marine vessels, passenger cars, forklift trucks and
UAVs. 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.