VANCOUVER, March 19, 2018 /CNW/ - Ballard Power Systems
(NASDAQ: BLDP; TSX: BLDP) today announced that it has signed a
contract with CALSTART (www.calstart.org) for a Ballard 30 kilowatt (kW)
FCveloCity®-MD fuel cell module to be used in a trial
and development program involving UPS Class-6 delivery vans
operating in California's South
Coast Air Basin, including much of the Greater Los Angeles area. Funding for the
project is being provided by the South Coast Air Quality Management
District (SCAQMD) as part of its efforts to reduce harmful air
pollution.
"SCAQMD's technology advancement programs have helped to ensure
wide-scale deployment of low- and zero-emission heavy duty on-road
technologies, including all classes of trucks and buses, to clean
the air in the South Coast basin," said Wayne Nastri, SCAQMD's executive officer.
"Greater deployment of fuel cell vehicles is expected to provide a
reduction of pollutants, especially in disadvantaged communities
that are disproportionately exposed to harmful diesel
emissions."
The range of current battery-powered Class-6 UPS delivery vans
is only sufficient for a limited percentage of routes, and often
not for the majority of routes in any delivery area. This
percentage can be further reduced if the delivery locations face
unexpected heavier loads, hilly terrain or colder temperatures. A
range-extension solution using Ballard's fuel cell range extender system can
address these limitations by boosting drive range and providing
certainty of completing daily delivery missions while maintaining
zero-emission performance.
CALSTART's primary goal for this project is to demonstrate the
business case and technical feasibility of deploying fuel cell
hybrid electric Class-6 vehicles with greater range capability such
that UPS chooses to deploy up to 1,500 similar vehicles in its
California fleet over the next
5-years – representing a significant percentage of UPS's 8,000
California delivery vans – while
also demonstrating the economic and technical potential of this
technology to other operators of the states' approximately 650,000
Class 4-to-7 vehicles.
"We are delighted to work with CALSTART to demonstrate the
strong fit for our fuel cell module as a range extender in a UPS
delivery van," said Rob Campbell,
Ballard Chief Commercial Officer.
"Particularly those UPS vehicles requiring longer range and
operating for more hours during each day – in other words, delivery
vans with high utilization rates – will benefit from a hybrid
solution using Ballard's
FCveloCity®-MD module. We also see rapid hydrogen
refueling as a better alternative approach to long battery
recharging times."
John Boesel, President and CEO of
CALSTART added, "We are very appreciative of the funding provided
by the South Coast Air Quality Management District to develop,
deploy, and test a new competitive zero-emission powertrain for the
delivery truck market. Using a fuel cell as a range extender would
enable an operator to cover almost all routes without any range
anxiety."
The program with UPS will use a 23,000 lb. Class-6 delivery van
capable of speeds up to 65 miles per hour. The UPS van will be
equipped with a 71kWh lithium ion battery and a 30kW Ballard fuel cell engine. Viewed as a
replacement for an older diesel delivery van, this zero-emission
configuration will deliver a net 24 metric ton reduction in
greenhouse gases (GHGs) together with a 0.02 ton reduction in
criteria pollutant emissions on an annual basis.
CALSTART is a member-supported organization of more than 180
firms, fleets and agencies worldwide dedicated to supporting a
growing high-tech, clean transportation industry that cleans the
air, creates jobs, cuts imported oil and reduces global warming
emissions. CALSTART provides services and consulting to spur
advanced transportation technologies, fuels, systems and the
companies that make them.
Partners for this program include South Coast Air Quality
Management District, UPS, Complete Coach Works (CCW) and Unique
Electric Solutions (UES).
About Ballard Power Systems
Ballard Power Systems
(NASDAQ: BLDP; TSX: BLDP) 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
anticipated development results and impacts on 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.