- Reflects continued European momentum in fuel cells for heavy
duty transportation applications
VANCOUVER, Dec. 4, 2019 /PRNewswire/ - 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 20
FCveloCity®-HD 85-kilowatt (kW) fuel cell modules to
power buses in Groningen, the
Netherlands, under the JIVE2 funding program.
Ballard plans to deliver the 20 FCveloCity®-HD 85kW
modules in 2020. These will power 20 Van Hool A330 model Fuel Cell
Electric Buses (FCEBs) that are planned for deployment with Qbuzz,
the transit agency for the city of Groningen, by the end of next
year. Shell has been contracted to build a hydrogen refueling
station at the Peizerweg bus depot in Groningen to support this
fleet of FCEBs, with each bus having a range of 350-to-400
kilometers (220-to-250 miles) between refuelings.
Rob Campbell, Ballard's Chief
Commercial Officer said, "We are delighted to provide fuel cell
power modules to Van Hool, a
long-standing Ballard partner in Europe, as an important sign of continued
progress in the deployment of zero-emission buses under the JIVE2
program. These new Fuel Cell Electric Buses for Groningen represent
another vote of confidence in Ballard's fuel cell technology and
products. This is a follow-on order for modules, after the
deployment of two Ballard-powered Van
Hool buses with Qbuzz in 2017."
Fleur Gräper-van Kookwijk, Regional Minister for the Province of
Groningen and Chairwoman of the Public Transport Authority
OV-bureau added, "Hydrogen is no longer an experimental fuel, but
has become a serious zero-emission drivetrain used in everyday
public transportation. We are proud to implement hydrogen at this
scale in the north of the
Netherlands and to be a frontrunner in the Netherlands and Europe."
Ballard fuel cell modules have demonstrated unmatched on-road
performance in fuel cell buses, including earlier generation
modules operating in some European 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, 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.