Ballard Power Systems recently closed the deal with Daimler and Ford to sell off their automotive fuel cell business, but that doesn't mean they are abandoning the technology. Along with fuel cells for stationary power applications and material handling equipment, they are still working on buses. The Canadian company just announced a new five-year deal with New Flyer Industries to supply fuel cell stacks for shuttle buses. The shuttle buses are usually less than 32 feet long and are used for applications like airport rental car shuttles, university campuses and and smaller municipal routes. The two companies will work together to prepare bids for contracts. Previously, New Flyer and Ballard worked together to win the contract for twenty heavy duty fuel cell buses for BC Transit. Some of those buses will be deployed in Whistler, British Columbia prior to the 2010 Winter Olympics there.
[Source: Ballard Power Systems]
Ballard to be Exclusive Supplier of Fuel Cell Modules for New Flyer Shuttle Buses
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, Feb 12, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX News Network) -- Ballard Power Systems (TSX: BLD)(NASDAQ: BLDP), an industry leader in fuel cell products today announced that it has signed a five-year agreement with New Flyer Industries Inc., the leading manufacturer of heavy-duty transit vehicles in Canada and the United States, to supply fuel cell modules for use in New Flyer shuttle buses. As part of this agreement, the companies will also combine efforts toward the joint preparation of bids for transit agency shuttle bus programs, with an initial focus on publicly-funded programs in Canada.
Shuttle buses are smaller and lighter than full-size buses - typically less than thirty-two feet in length - and are intended for use in a range of growing applications, such as community feeder routes, where their reduced noise profile and emission-free operation is highly valued. The partnership will focus on jointly pursuing procurement opportunities for these new fuel cell buses. Under the agreement, New Flyer will develop and manufacture a shuttle bus specifically suited for Ballard's fuel cell technology and Ballard's existing fuel cell module will be integrated into the New Flyer shuttle bus chassis.
John Sheridan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ballard said, "New Flyer has demonstrated its leadership through successful commercialization of hybrid-electric buses across Canada and the United States. We have worked very closely together in the past and are working with New Flyer now toward delivery of twenty 40-foot heavy-duty fuel cell buses to BC Transit. This new agreement will enable both companies to address what could be an important emerging market opportunity."
New Flyer's commercial relationship with Ballard began in 1993, when the two companies developed the world's first hydrogen fuel cell bus. In 2007, New Flyer was awarded a contract by BC Transit for the world's largest fleet of hydrogen fuel cell buses, and Ballard was named as the fuel cell technology provider.
"New Flyer is excited to team once again with Ballard to leverage its hydrogen fuel cell technology in the bus industry," added John Marinucci, President and Chief Executive Officer of New Flyer. "The market demands that we find and utilize innovative technology to advance the development of zero-emission buses that are both environmentally-friendly and fuel efficient. Ballard is the leader in fuel cells so we look forward to a very productive relationship."
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