LOS ANGELES, CA, Nov. 26, 2014 /PRNewswire/ - Ballard Power
Systems (NASDAQ: BLDP)(TSX: BLD) congratulates Volkswagen AG on the
fuel cell-powered concept cars the Company introduced at last
week's LA Auto Show. The concept cars represent multiple Volkswagen
and Audi brand models: Golf SportWagen HyMotion, Passat HyMotion
and Audi A7 Sportback h-tron quattro. These fuel cell cars utilize
technology and components developed with the engineering support of
Ballard Power Systems.
Randy MacEwen, Ballard President and CEO said, "These fuel cell
concept cars are an important step for Group Research at Volkswagen
and underscore the progress in fuel cell car development across the
entire automotive industry, as demonstrated at the LA Auto Show. We
congratulate Volkswagen on these high-performance vehicles and look
forward to our continuing relationship with one of the world's
leading automotive manufacturers."
Commenting on one of the concept cars, Professor Dr.
Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of the
Board of Management for Technical Development at Audi said, "The
h-tron concept car shows that we have also mastered fuel cell
technology. We are in a position to launch the production process
as soon as the market and infrastructure are ready." He added, "The
A7 Sportback h-tron quattro is a genuine Audi – at once sporty and
efficient."
The concept cars are capable of accelerating from zero to 100
km/h (62.1 mph) in ten seconds or less, have fuel storage capacity
enabling a driving range of about 500 kilometers (310.7 miles) and
can be refilled with hydrogen fuel in about three minutes.
Each of the cars is powered by a fourth-generation LT PEM (low
temperature proton exchange membrane) fuel cell stack, delivering
100 kilowatts of power and augmented by a high-voltage lithium-ion
battery. The key element of each individual fuel cell – many of
which are combined to form a stack – is a proton-conducting
membrane. Each membrane is located between an anode and a cathode
in the fuel cell. Hydrogen flows into the cell at the anode end and
oxygen at the cathode end. The hydrogen and oxygen react and
combine to form water at the cathode end and electrical energy is
released in this process, without any combustion.
In March 2013 Ballard and
Volkswagen AG signed a long-term Engineering Services contract to
advance development of fuel cells for use in powering demonstration
cars in Volkswagen AG's fuel cell automotive research program. The
contract term is 4-years, with an option for a 2-year
extension.
About Ballard Power Systems
Ballard Power Systems
(NASDAQ: BLDP)(TSX: BLD) 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
market developments for our products and corresponding value
propositions for our customers. 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.