Fuel Cell bus proves reliability at Hannover Fair

Hydrogenics Corporation, a hydrogen and fuel cell manufacturer, demonstrated a fuel cell hybrid minibus in Hannover, during the world's largest annual industrial fair. The bus worked alongside the regular fleet of diesel buses, clocking 405 kilometers over five days, and consuming 10.1 kg of Hydrogen. The bus did not require any maintenance or repairs. The hybrid fuel cell design allows the bus to travel approximately 200 km on one fill of hydrogen. The same bus in full-electric configuration can only operate 60 to 80 km. The next shuttle assignment for the fuel cell hybrid minibus is scheduled for the World Cup Soccer in Germany this summer, an event I am eagerly looking forward to, not just because it showcases alternative propulsion systems.

[source: Hydrogenics Press Release]

 

Hydrogenics Fuel Cell Hybrid Midibus Recently Deployed for Full-time Shuttle Service at Hannover Fair in Germany

Bus completes full duty assignment with no maintenance or repairs

MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO, CANADA -- May 9, 2006 -- Hydrogenics Corporation (TSX:HYG)(Nasdaq:HYGS), a leading developer and manufacturer of hydrogen and fuel products, today announced the successful deployment of its fuel cell hybrid midibus, alongside the regular fleet of diesel powered buses, at the world's largest annual industrial fair in Hannover, Germany. Over five days, from April 24 to 28, the bus clocked 405 kilometers, consuming a total of 10.1 kg of hydrogen. Approximately 800 people rode the bus to travel between the event's 13 buildings. Hydrogenics' Germany-based team designed, built and integrated the bus's HyPM^® fuel cell hybrid power-train utilizing a Tecnobus Gulliver all-electric midibus platform. In November 2005, the bus achieved TUV road certification.

The primary benefit of the midibus's hybrid design is its ability to travel approximately 200 km on one fill of hydrogen. This favorably compares to the 60 to 80 km that the same bus can operate on standard lead-acid batteries alone, an inadequate duration for most transit operations. In addition, the fuel cell power output requirement, determined by the average running load of the bus, is small enough that the complete hybrid system can be delivered much more cost-effectively than by using a fuel cell power-train alone. These and other operational features of the fuel cell hybrid midibus make it a desirable and economic option for a range of niche transit applications, primarily in urban centers.

"We are very pleased to have had this opportunity at Hannover to showcase, not only the robustness of our HyPM fuel cell power module, but also the strong integration capabilities of our Germany-based operation," commented Pierre Rivard, Hydrogenics President and Chief Executive Officer. "Europe is a very important regional market for Hydrogenics and we are fully aware of the importance of offering local integration expertise to customers as they advance their own fuel cell activities. In this way, Hydrogenics presents a unique and strategic pathway to initially enable and accelerate commercialization of this compelling new technology."

Hydrogenics' midibus project gained financial support in 2005 from the State of North-Rhine Westphalia (NRW), one of four jurisdictions participating in the European Union's HyChain initiative announced in February of this year. NRW subsequently recognized Hydrogenics as a member company of the initiative. With a total budget of 37.6 million euros over five years partially funded by the Directorate-General Energy and Transport of the European Commission, the HYCHAIN-MINITRANS Project will allow people to test a variety of vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells. Included in this initiative is a commitment to provide up to 1.8 million euros to Hydrogenics as qualified transit authorities adopt Hydrogenics' fuel cell hybrid midibuses into their regular fleets.

"The support that we continue to receive from North-Rhine Westphalia and the European Union allows us to go to potential bus OEM partners and transit authorities to explore opportunities to utilize hydrogen powered hybrid buses in real-world applications," added Rivard.

The next shuttle assignment for the fuel cell hybrid midibus is scheduled to take place next month at State-hosted events related to the World Cup of Soccer in Germany.

About Hydrogenics

Hydrogenics Corporation (www.hydrogenics.com) is a leading global developer of clean energy solutions, advancing the Hydrogen Economy by commercializing hydrogen and fuel cell products. The company has a portfolio of products and capabilities serving the hydrogen and energy markets of today and tomorrow. Hydrogenics, based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, has operations in North America, Europe and Asia.

CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Law of 1995. These statements are based on management's current expectations and actual results may differ from these forward-looking statements due to numerous factors, including changes in the competitive environment adversely affecting the products, markets, revenues or margins of Hydrogenics' business. Readers should not place undue reliance on Hydrogenics' forward-looking statements. Investors are encouraged to review the section captioned "Risk Factors" in Hydrogenics' regulatory filings with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission for a more complete discussion of factors that could affect Hydrogenics' future performance. Furthermore, the forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this release, and Hydrogenics undertakes no obligations to revise or update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this release. The forward-looking statements contained in this release are expressly qualified by this.