VANCOUVER, July 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ - Ballard Power
Systems (NASDAQ: BLDP) (TSX: BLD) has received a purchase order
from New Flyer Industries for the delivery of Ballard's first
next-generation FCvelocity®-HD7 fuel cell power
module to a North American bus manufacturer. Delivery of the power
module to New Flyer Industries is planned for later this year.
The module will be utilized in a next generation New Flyer
Industries fuel cell bus that will be sent to Altoona, Pennsylvania for testing and
qualification prior to being deployed into revenue service under
the U.S. Federal Transit Administration (FTA) National Fuel Cell
Bus Program. The project will be administered by CALSTART, a
member-supported organization dedicated to clean transportation
alternatives.
New Flyer Industries is the leading manufacturer of heavy-duty
transit buses in North America and
the industry technology leader offering the broadest product line,
including drive systems powered by fuel cells, clean diesel,
natural gas and electric trolley as well as energy-efficient
diesel-electric hybrid vehicles.
Chris Stoddart, New Flyer
Industries' Vice President, Engineering said, "Ballard's
next-generation fuel cell module offers simpler integration
compared to earlier generations, along with the attributes that
we've come to expect from Ballard fuel cell systems - power
density, durability, and best-in-class engineering support."
Ballard has a long history of working with New Flyer Industries,
having powered fuel cell buses in Vancouver, Chicago and the Palm Springs region dating
back to the first ever prototype fuel cell bus in 1991. More
recently, Ballard and New Flyer Industries partnered on the
successful operation of BC Transit's fuel cell demonstration fleet
of 20 buses, which ran from 2009 to 2014 in Whistler, British Columbia, accumulating
nearly 4 million kilometers (2.5 million miles) in revenue
service.
Steve Karaffa, Ballard Chief
Commercial Officer said, "New Flyer Industries' selection of
Ballard as a technology partner for its next-generation fuel cell
bus is a testament to the value that our fuel cell products
provide. This order is further evidence of market interest in
Ballard's reliable and durable fuel cell power modules for mass
transit applications."
Ballard continues to work with U.S. industry and clean
transportation advocates to stimulate the use of fuel cell
technology in transit buses. Increased volumes of fuel cell-powered
buses are expected to support cost and price reductions through
scale economies, enabling fuel cell solutions to compete more
effectively with incumbent transit technologies. The FTA is playing
a key role in accelerating fuel cell bus deployments and providing
greater public exposure to the safe operation of zero-emission
vehicles, which is leading to broader acceptance of the
technology.
Ballard's FCvelocity®-HD7 features reduced
parts count as well as fewer moving parts, integrated air
compressor and coolant pump along with lower parasitic load. The
FCvelocity®-HD7 also features fuel cell stacks
manufactured using the Company's high-volume manufacturing
processes.
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 market growth drivers, product attributes 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
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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.