VANCOUVER, Oct. 18, 2018 /CNW/ - Ballard Power Systems
(NASDAQ: BLDP; TSX: BLDP) today announced that it will provide fuel
cell modules to power two (2) port terminal yard trucks as part of
a project being managed by GTI and partially funded by the
California Air Resources Board (CARB). CARB has preliminarily
awarded $5.7 million dollars to GTI
for the Zero Emissions for California Ports (ZECAP) Project. The
ZECAP Project will validate the commercial viability of
zero-emission fuel cell electric hybrid yard trucks operating in a
demanding, real-world cargo-handling application. The ZECAP Project
is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative
that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing
greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy and improving
public health and the environment — particularly in disadvantaged
communities.
The project announced today will develop, validate, and deploy
two Capacity TJ9000 fuel cell electric hybrid yard trucks at the
Port of Los Angeles in
California. The yard trucks will
be operated by TraPac, the container terminal and stevedore
operator at the port. Ballard will
provide 85 kilowatt (kW) FCveloCity®-HD fuel cell
modules for primary propulsion of each yard truck and BAE Systems
(www.baesystems.com) will provide the electric drive system and
will have responsibility for systems integration using its HDS200
HybriDrive® Propulsion System. The yard trucks will move
cargo containers within the terminal yard. Ballard plans to deliver power modules in 2019
and a 12-month operating period is planned for the project,
beginning in March 2020.
"Heavy duty vehicles have a disproportionate impact in terms of
air pollution, with buses and trucks accounting for less than 10%
of vehicles on the road but about one-quarter of all carbon dioxide
emissions plus a significant amount of pollutants in California," said Rob
Campbell, Ballard's Chief
Commercial Officer. "This heavy duty vehicle project with GTI and
BAE Systems is an important step forward in addressing this issue,
particularly at shipping ports where a significant amount of
pollution currently occurs. Hydrogen and fuel cells deliver an
attractive value proposition, including zero emissions, extended
vehicle range, long duty cycles, rapid refueling and zero
compromise on payload."
In September 2018 California
passed bill SB 100, which establishes a deadline for 100%
zero-carbon electricity in the state. The bill will accelerate the
state's renewable portfolio standard to 60% by 2030, and will
require that the next 40% comes from zero-carbon sources of
electricity by 2045. The San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan,
encompassing the ports of Los
Angeles and Long Beach,
goes even further by mandating that all cargo handling equipment be
zero-emission by 2030. Hydrogen and fuel cells provide a path to
support achievement of these targets, while also enabling
zero-emission equipment to be fueled in the same manner and same
amount of time as natural gas and diesel fueled vehicles,
minimizing real estate requirements, and maintaining operational
practices.
"GTI is excited to be a part of this project team, including
Ballard, that brings leadership
and experience in their respective fields to propel the transition
to a post-petroleum, heavy duty trucking economy," stated
Ted Barnes, Research &
Development Director at GTI. "We are very excited to showcase this
breakthrough technology and its ability to provide a zero-emission
solution for heavy duty truck operators and the citizens of
California."
About GTI
GTI is a leading research, development and
training organization that has been addressing the nation's energy
and environmental challenges by developing technology-based
solutions for consumers, industry, and government for more than 75
years. www.gastechnology.org
About the California Air Resources Board (CARB)
CARB's
mission is to promote and protect public health, welfare, and
ecological resources through effective reduction of air pollutants
while recognizing and considering effects on the economy. CARB
oversees all air pollution control efforts in California to attain and maintain health-based
air quality standards. www.arb.ca.gov
The ZECAP Project is part of California Climate Investments, a
statewide initiative that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to
work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy
and improving public health and the environment — particularly in
disadvantaged communities. www.caclimateinvestments.ca.gov
About Ballard Power Systems
Ballard Power Systems
(NASDAQ: BLDP; TSX: BLDP) provides clean energy products that
reduce customer costs and risks, and helps customers solve
difficult technical and business challenges in their fuel cell
programs. To learn more about Ballard, please visit http://ballard.com/.
This release contains forward-looking statements concerning
anticipated development results and impacts on our products. These
forward-looking statements reflect Ballard's current expectations as contemplated
under section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Any
such forward-looking statements are based on Ballard's assumptions relating to its
financial forecasts and expectations regarding its product
development efforts, manufacturing capacity, and market demand.
These statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause
Ballard's actual results to be
materially different, including general economic and regulatory
changes, detrimental reliance on third parties, successfully
achieving our business plans and achieving and sustaining
profitability. For a detailed discussion of these and other risk
factors that could affect Ballard's future performance, please refer to
Ballard's most recent Annual
Information Form. Readers should not place undue reliance on
Ballard's forward-looking
statements and Ballard assumes no
obligation to update or release any revisions to these forward
looking statements, other than as required under applicable
legislation.
This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the
solicitation of an offer to buy securities. The Ballard
Common Shares have not been registered under the United States
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the securities laws of any
other jurisdiction and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an
applicable exemption from registration requirements.
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SOURCE Ballard Power Systems Inc.