- Initial U.K. cluster deployments under JIVE funding
program
- Reflects increasing European momentum in fuel cells for
heavy duty transportation applications
VANCOUVER, May 13, 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 20 FCveloCity®-HD 85-kilowatt fuel
cell modules to power London buses
under the Joint Initiative For Hydrogen Vehicles Across Europe
("JIVE") funding program.
These initial 20 double-decker buses – part of the 55 buses
ultimately planned for the U.K. cluster under JIVE I – will be
deployed on three routes with Transport for London ("TfL"), the city's transit agency.
Deployment of these buses will support London's world-first Ultra Low Emission Zone
initiative which was launched last month to improve air quality in
the city. All the Ballard modules in this order are expected to
ship by end-2019 and all related buses are expected to be deployed
with TfL by end-2020. The JIVE funding program targets a total
deployment of 291 fuel cell buses in more than 20 European
cities.
"We are very pleased to provide fuel cell power modules to
Wrightbus, as an important sign of continued progress in the
deployment of zero-emission buses under Europe's JIVE program," said Rob Campbell, Ballard Chief Commercial Officer.
"Together with our 2018 announcements regarding Ballard modules for
40 buses in the German cluster as well as 5 for buses in Pau,
France – all under the JIVE
program – these new buses for London represent a tremendous vote of
confidence in Ballard fuel cell technology and products."
In 2018 Ballard announced orders under JIVE for a total of 45
fuel cell modules to power buses to be deployed in two cities in
Germany as well as in Pau,
France. Earlier generation Ballard
fuel cell modules have been powering a fleet of 10 fuel cell
electric buses for TfL in London
over the past 8-years while demonstrating a high level of
performance together with unsurpassed durability, including some
buses operating more than 30,000 hours with minimal fuel cell
maintenance required.
Europe's JIVE funding program
is 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 program are
expected to demonstrate the technical readiness of fuel cell
electric buses to bus operators and the economic attractiveness of
hydrogen as a zero-emission bus fuel to policy makers. These
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) 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 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.