- Renewable energy company, Ballard Power Systems (TSX:BLDP) has received a purchase order from a leading European bus manufacturer
- Solaris Bus & Coach will use Ballard’s fuel cell modules to power 20 of Solaris’ electric buses in Holland
- The Solaris Fuel Cell Electric Bus (FCEB) can travel 350 kilometres on a single hydrogen fuel-up
- The bus fleet deployment is part of the Joint Initiative for Hydrogen Vehicles Across Europe (JIVE 2) funding program
- Ballard Power Systems was trading for $14.43 per share at yesterday’s market close with a market cap of $3.5 billion
Renewable energy company, Ballard Power Systems (TSX:BLDP) has received a purchase order from a leading European bus manufacturer.
Solaris Bus & Coach S.A. intends to use Ballard’s fuel cell modules to power 20 Solaris Urbino 12 hydrogen buses. The company will purchase 20 of Ballard’s 70 kilowatt heavy-duty FCmove-HD fuel cell modules.
The Solaris Fuel Cell Electric Bus (FCEB) can travel 350 kilometres on a single hydrogen refuelling. It also comes with a climate control system that uses the heat generated by Ballard’s fuel cell module. The model is very new, having only been introduced in 2019.
Solaris will deploy its Urbino 12 hydrogen buses in South Holland, the most populated province in The Netherlands. The public transport company, Connexxion, will operate the fleet in that region.
This deployment is part of JIVE 2, the Joint Initiative for Hydrogen Vehicles Across Europe funding program. Solaris’ Deputy CEO, Petros Spinaris, commented on widespread changing views on clean, renewable energy.
“Increasingly, municipal operators and decision makers are opting for modern and emission-free transport solutions for their regions. The advantages of hydrogen as an energy carrier are indisputable.
“We are honoured to participate with the operator Connexxion, as the Netherlands continues to green its transit fleets,” Petros said.
Ballard’s Chief Commercial Operator, Rob Campbell, mapped out the company’s future endeavours in this area.
“With the deployment of these 20 buses planned for next year by Solaris, Ballard will be powering a total of 40 buses in The Netherlands. We will soon be powering Solaris buses in Germany and Italy as well.
“This order is another strong indicator of the growing demand for zero-emission public transportation solutions in Europe, and indeed, globally. Europe is contemplating a ‘Green Recovery’ from COVID-19, and recent studies have linked PM2.5 air pollution with COVID-19 mortality rates. We see the opportunity for accelerated adoption of zero-emission fuel cell electric buses,” Rob said.
Ballard Power Systems was trading for $14.43 per share at yesterday’s market close.
