VANCOUVER,
Oct. 25, 2018
/PRNewswire/ - Ballard Power Systems (NASDAQ:
BLDP; TSX: BLDP) today announced that it will provide fuel cell
modules to power four (4) UPS delivery trucks as part of a project
being managed by the Center for Transportation and the Environment
(CTE) and partially funded by the California Air Resources Board
(CARB). CARB has announced a preliminary funding award of
$5.8 million through its ZANZEFF
(Zero and Near Zero Emissions Freight Facilities) grant program,
which is focused on accelerating the adoption of clean freight
technologies and reducing air pollution caused by the movement of
goods throughout the state of California.
![UPS Class-6 Delivery Truck (CNW Group/Ballard Power Systems Inc.) UPS Class-6 Delivery Truck (CNW Group/Ballard Power Systems Inc.)](https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/774619/Ballard_Power_Systems_Inc__Ballard_Fuel_Cell_Modules_to_Power_Ca.jpg)
The Next Generation Fuel Cell Delivery Van Deployment
Project will develop, validate, and deploy four Class-6 fuel cell
electric hybrid delivery trucks with a view toward
commercialization of the technology. Linamar Corporation
(www.linamar.com) will be the primary systems integrator of the
vehicle, utilizing its existing hybrid powertrain configuration
with a next generation eAxle. Ballard will provide fuel cell modules for
primary propulsion of each truck. The completed trucks will be
operated in parcel delivery service by UPS out of its Customer
Center in Ontario, California.
Rob Campbell, Ballard's Chief Commercial Officer said, "We
are delighted to work with CTE and Linamar in the deployment of
these fuel cell-powered UPS trucks. We are confident in the
dependability and durability of our fuel cell power solution, while
also offering the required range and overall performance for this
application. And, we see rapid hydrogen refueling as a better
alternative approach than long battery recharging
times."
Jason Hanlin, CTE's
Director of Technology Development added, "Thanks to the California
Air Resources Board for supporting CTE and our partners in
providing clean trucks for the folks moving people, packages, and
goods every day. We are also happy to continue our relationship
with Ballard in successfully
deploying fuel cell vehicles that deliver on application
requirements."
Current battery-powered Class-6 UPS delivery trucks have a
range limit that makes them suitable for only a percentage of
routes, and often not for the majority of routes in any delivery
area. This percentage can be further reduced if the delivery
locations face unexpected heavier loads, hilly terrain or colder
temperatures. As a result, for several months Ballard has been involved in the development
of a UPS truck using a 30kW FCveloCity®-MD fuel cell
module as a range extender, thereby addressing these limitations by
boosting drive range and providing certainty of completing daily
delivery missions while maintaining zero-emission
performance.
The project announced today with CTE will test performance
of UPS delivery trucks using larger fuel cell modules to provide
primary vehicle propulsion. Ballard expects to ship these modules in 2019,
with operation of the UPS vans planned to begin in 2020.
About the Center for Transportation and the Environment
(CTE)
CTE is a 501(3)(c) nonprofit
organization with a mission to improve the efficiency and
sustainability of the United States' energy and transportation
systems. CTE collaborates with federal, state, and local
governments, fleets, and vehicle technology manufacturers to
advance clean, sustainable, innovative transportation and energy
technologies. Learn more at www.cte.tv.
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
www.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.