Mr. William Foulds reports

AMERICAN FUEL CELL BUS PROGRAM DELIVERS "BUY AMERICA"-COMPLIANT FUEL CELL BUS TO SUNLINE TRANSIT AGENCY

Ballard Power Systems Inc. has, together with consortium partners BAE Systems and ElDorado National (California) Inc., successfully deployed a Buy America-compliant, zero-emission fuel-cell bus for SunLine Transit Agency in Palm Springs, Calif. The Buy America regulation requires the manufacturing of the bus and key components in the United States, in alignment with objectives set out by the federal government.

This bus was developed under the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) national fuel-cell bus program, which facilitates the development of commercially viable fuel-cell bus technologies and related infrastructure for deployment in revenue service. The FTA has played 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 a broader acceptance of this technology. FTA deputy administrator Therese McMillan spoke at today's unveiling event in Palm Springs.

CALSTART, the nation's leading non-profit consortium of clean transportation technology companies, administered the FTA project. Cost share funds were also provided by BAE Systems, the California Air Resources Board, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), ElDorado National and SunLine Transit Agency.

The bus that has been delivered to SunLine uses a Ballard FCvelocity-HD6 fuel-cell module built in Lowell, Mass., to provide primary power in combination with BAE Systems propulsion and power management systems to propel the Eldorado 40-foot transit bus. SunLine Transit Agency will operate the bus, providing public transit and community services to California's Coachella Valley. Over the years, SunLine has pursued an aggressive strategy for implementing clean technologies into its fleet, evidenced by what is now the seventh generation of hydrogen bus deployed by SunLine.

"The national fuel-cell bus program was the basis for our decision to expand fuel-cell operations at our Lowell, Mass., facility," stated William Foulds, president, U.S. operations, Ballard Power. "We have the work force in place at Lowell that will allow us to meet Buy America requirements and thereby facilitate our customers' access to related funding. This will expand our set of addressable business opportunities in the United States."

Ballard's Lowell, Mass., facility will continue to manufacture the company's FCvelocity-HD6 fuel-cell power modules for the U.S. market. The module delivers enhanced durability at a reduced cost, with improved efficiency and an industry-leading 12,000-hour/five-year warranty. Highly innovative, zero-emission fuel-cell buses will play a critical role in the future of transit -- preserving non-renewable energy sources, substantially reducing environmental footprint and improving quality of life.

We seek Safe Harbor.