The Financial Post reports in its Tuesday edition that Ballard Power Systems shares soared Monday after it announced a long-term supply agreement with European bus maker Solaris Bus & Coach that it called its largest order ever for fuel cell engines. A Canadian Press dispatch to the Post says that Ballard shares closed up 68 cents at $4.45 on the Toronto Stock Exchange. The deal consolidates existing orders for about 300 fuel cell engines, while adding aftermarket and extended warranty services, along with a new commitment for about an additional 700 fuel cell engines and related aftermarket extended warranty services. Not disclosed were financial terms. The deal includes engines for both 12-metre and 18-metre buses. They are expected to be used in buses across Europe where Solaris buses powered by Ballard fuel cell engines operate in over 22 cities. Ballard said delivery is expected to start this year and run through the end of 2027. The company also announced it has been awarded $54-million (U.S.) in U.S. investment tax credits that it plans to use to help build a new fuel cell factory in Texas. Ballard says it has $94-million (U.S.) of U.S. federal funding to support the factory under the Inflation Reduction Act.