VANCOUVER, March 13, 2013 /CNW/ - Ballard Power Systems (TSX: BLD; NASDAQ: BLDP) has announced the recent signing of an
agreement between Van Hool NV, Europe's fourth largest bus
manufacturer, and the Transit Authority in Aberdeen, Scotland for
delivery of 10 buses that will be powered by Ballard's 150 kilowatt FCvelocityTM-HD6 fuel cell module.
When deployed in revenue service, the 10-bus fleet to be operated in
Aberdeen will be Europe's largest hydrogen fuel cell bus fleet.
Furthermore, by early-2014 approximately 40 buses in Europe will be
powered by Ballard fuel cell modules.
In December 2011, Ballard announced an equipment supply agreement (ESA)
with Van Hool for 21 of the Company's latest-generation 150 kilowatt
FCvelocityTM-HD6 modules, with an expectation that the majority of these would be
shipped in 2012. By the end of 2012, 14 modules had been shipped to Van
Hool. These will be used in 5 buses to be deployed in San Remo, Italy,
5 buses to be deployed in Flanders, Belgium as well as 4 of the buses
to be deployed in Aberdeen. All these deployments are being supported
by European Joint Technology Initiative (JTI) funding through the High
V.LO-City program.
Through the remainder of 2013 Ballard expects to ship a further 8 power
modules to Van Hool, including 6 to be used in the Aberdeen deployment
and 2 for use in buses to be deployed in Cologne, Germany. The Cologne
buses are being procured by the government of North Rhine Westphalia
(NRW), with funding support from the German National Innovation
Program. The Aberdeen buses are being supported by JTI funding through
the High V.LO-City and HyTransit programs. This will bring the total
number of modules shipped to Van Hool to 22 since December 2011.
Ballard's sixth generation FCvelocityTM-HD6 fuel cell module features a control unit which interfaces with a system controller to
make it a "plug-and-play" product for any fuel cell or hybrid fuel cell
bus platform. The module also offers significant advances in
durability, power density and fuel efficiency compared to earlier
generation products.
Increased volumes of fuel cell-powered buses are supporting cost and
price reductions through scale of economies, enabling fuel cell
solutions to compete more effectively with incumbent transit
technologies.
About Ballard Power Systems
Ballard Power Systems (TSX: BLD) (NASDAQ: BLDP) provides clean energy
fuel cell products enabling optimized power systems for a range of
applications. Products deliver incomparable performance, durability and
versatility. To learn more about Ballard, please visit www.ballard.com.
This release contains forward-looking statements concerning anticipated
revenues, shipments, product development activities, product
improvements and cost reductions. 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.
SOURCE: Ballard Power Systems Inc.
