VANCOUVER, CANADA – Ballard has received a follow-on order from Solaris Bus & Coach (Solaris) for a fuel cell power module to be used in a zero-emission bus planned for deployment in Europe. The next-generation FCvelocity®-HD7 power module will be incorporated into a new 24 meter (80 foot) fuel cell bus design. Delivery of the power module to Solaris is planned for later this year. 

The first two Solaris buses powered by Ballard’s FCvelocity®-HD7 fuel cell power module were presented to Hamburger Hochbahn AG – transit operator for the City of Hamburg, Germany – as part of an operations trial in December 2014. 

Solaris, based in Poland, is one of the leading players in the European bus industry. The Company manufactures intracity, intercity and special-purpose buses as well as low-floor trams. Since starting production in 1996, over 10,000 Solaris vehicles have been deployed in 28 countries, including Poland, Germany, Norway, France, Sweden, Switzerland and United Arab Emirates. 

In November 2014, Solaris participated with a number of other European bus OEMs in signing a Letter of Understanding (LOU) which signaled their anticipation of around 500-to-1,000 fuel cell buses being put into service in urban centers across Europe from 2017 through 2020. Each of the participating manufacturers intends to independently develop, demonstrate and offer products in accordance with this timeframe. 

Ballard’s next-generation FCvelocity®-HD7 fuel cell power module features reduced parts count – including fewer moving parts – an integrated air compressor and coolant pump along with reduced parasitic load. 
 

About Ballard Power Systems 
Ballard Power Systems (NASDAQ: BLDP; TSX: BLD) 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.