VANCOUVER, BC, Dec. 17, 2020 /CNW/ - Ballard Power Systems
(NASDAQ: BLDP) (TSX: BLDP) today announced a purchase order from
Van Hool
(https://www.vanhool.be/en/), a leading bus OEM and Ballard partner
headquartered in Belgium, for 10
fuel cell modules to power Van Hool
A330 buses to be deployed in Emmen, the
Netherlands, under the JIVE2 funding program.
Ballard plans to deliver the 10 fuel cell modules in 2021. These
will power 10 Van Hool A330 model Fuel Cell Electric Buses (FCEBs)
that are planned for deployment with Groningen-Drenthe and Qbuzz,
the public transport agency in Emmen, by 2022. Shell has been
contracted to build a hydrogen refueling station and is also
working on development of a 10-megawatt plant for onsite production
of green hydrogen. Emmen's fuel cell bus fleet is expected to use
60-to-90 tons of green hydrogen annually.
Van Hool's A330 FCEB is 12 meters
(39.3 feet) long, carries up to 74 people and has a range of
350-to-400 kilometers (220-to-250 miles) between hydrogen
refuelings.
Filip Van Hool, CEO of
Van Hool said, "We are keen to
deploy more Fuel Cell Electric Buses, powered by Ballard, in
European cities. The successful integration of Ballard products
into our buses, including the A330, has enabled progress toward
commercialization of fuel cells in public transportation. We expect
continued market penetration and growth of zero-emission fuel cell
buses throughout the EU."
Rob Campbell, Ballard Chief
Commercial Officer noted, "Ballard is delighted to continue our
collaboration with Van Hool and we
are very pleased to now provide fuel cell power modules for
additional buses to be deployed in The
Netherlands. With these buses Ballard will have powered more
than 100 Van Hool FCEBs operating in The
Netherlands – including the cities of Groningen and Emmen –
and in France, Germany, Norway, Belgium and Denmark."
Ballard fuel cell modules have demonstrated unmatched on-road
performance in Fuel Cell Electric Buses, including earlier
generation modules operating in buses for more than 35,000 hours,
with only minimal fuel cell maintenance required.
Europe's JIVE (Joint Initiative
For Hydrogen Vehicles Across Europe) funding programs are intended
to pave the way to commercialization of fuel cell electric buses by
coordinating procurement activities to unlock economies-of-scale
and reduce costs as well as supporting new hydrogen refueling
stations. Results of the JIVE programs are expected to demonstrate
the technical readiness of FCEBs to bus operators and the economic
viability of hydrogen as a zero-emission bus fuel to policy makers.
The JIVE programs are supported by a total of €57 million in grants
from the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU).
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 and forklift trucks.
To learn more about Ballard, please visit www.ballard.com.
This release contains forward-looking statements concerning
anticipated product performance and other characteristics. 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.
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SOURCE Ballard Power Systems Inc.