An anonymous director reports

BALLARD RECEIVES ORDER FOR ADDITIONAL NEXT-GEN FUEL CELL BUS MODULE FROM SOLARIS

Ballard Power Systems Inc. has received a follow-on order from Solaris Bus & Coach 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-metre (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 operation 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 original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in signing a letter of understanding, which signalled their anticipation of around 500 to 1,000 fuel-cell buses being put into service in urban centres across Europe from 2017 through 2020. Each of the participating manufacturers intends to independently develop, demonstrate and offer products in accordance with this time frame.

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.