VANCOUVER and PAU, France, Sept. 13,
2017 /PRNewswire/ - Ballard Power Systems (NASDAQ: BLDP;
TSX: BLDP) today announced that the company has accepted a Letter
of Intent to provide FCveloCity®-HD 100-kilowatt fuel
cell engines to power 8 ExquiCity tram-buses being built by Van
Hool NV ("Van Hool"; www.vanhool.be), a Ballard partner in
Europe, for delivery in Pau,
France to the SMTU-PPP (Syndicat
Mixte de Transports urbains – Pau
Portes des Pyrénées) and the STAP (Société de Transport de
l'Agglomération Paloise) during the second half of 2019.
These will be the first hydrogen bus routes in France and the world's first hydrogen
tram-buses for a full BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) system. These clean
energy hybrid tram-buses will 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 long
(over 60 feet), has capacity for 125 passengers and can operate
more than 300 kilometers (185 miles) between hydrogen refueling,
which take just 10 minutes to complete.
In addition to its environmental benefits, hybrid fuel cell
tram-buses offer a number of important advantages, including: the
highest level of operational flexibility and productivity; high
levels of passenger comfort and safety; lower cost than a
traditional tram.
Rob Campbell, Ballard Chief
Commercial Officer said, "This Letter of Intent from Van Hool to use our Heavy Duty power module in
its tram-buses for deployment in Pau, France is a further testament to our strong
partnership and Van Hool's
confidence in Ballard's fuel cell technology and products. We are
excited to see continued market expansion of fuel cell-powered mass
transit vehicles in Europe, as
typified by this tram-bus project. This is a further sign of the
growing importance of zero-emission fuel cell solutions
globally."
Filip Van Hool, CEO of
Van Hool, said, "Van Hool is looking forward to applying its
experience in the field of hydrogen-powered vehicles to the new
tram-bus system in Pau. This is a challenge we are extremely happy
to take on in our factory at Koningshookt. We have the necessary
experience and confidence to make this project a success,
leveraging our long-standing partnership with Ballard and its
market-leading fuel cell products."
Van Hool is an independent
Belgian bus, coach and industrial vehicle manufacturer. Founded in
1947 and based in Koningshooikt, the company has approximately
4,000 employees, with the majority of its production destined for
European and American markets.
The tram-bus deployment in Pau is funded by Europe's FCH JU programs. ENGIE's subsidiary
GNVERT will construct and operate the hydrogen refueling stations
for the buses. The 8 ExquiCity tram-buses are scheduled to be
delivered to the project in the second half of 2019. Ballard
expects to firm up contract and delivery details prior to the end
of 2017.
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
planned product deployments, provision of services, market adoption
and demand for our products and available subsidies. 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.