Canadian firm to supply Van Hool with next generation fuel cells

A Canadian fuel cell manufacturing company has announced one of its key customers has signed a grant agreement deal with the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU).

Ballard Power Systems, based in Burnaby, British Columbia, said its Belgian bus manufacturer Van Hool N.V. has agreed to supply the FCH JU with 21 fuel cell buses in Europe as part of the 3Emotion programme. Ballard and Van Hool, partners in the deployment of numerous fuel cell buses in Europe, are now in the process of finalising an equipment supply agreement (ESA) for the provision by Ballard of 21 next generation fuel cell power modules to use on the buses.

Speaking about the announcement, Randy MacEwen, CEO of Ballard Power Systems, said: “This funding is another positive step in the scaling of fuel cell bus deployments in Europe and in our relationship with Van Hool, a leading European bus OEM. We continue to be encouraged by Europe’s on-going commitment to zero-emission fuel cell technology for mass transit.”

Ballard will deliver its FCvelocity-HD7 product, a next generation fuel cell power module offering improved durability, reliability and significant cost reduction. Other enhancements include a reduced number of parts, fewer moving parts, integrated air compressor and coolant pump, and lower parasitic load.

Adding his thoughts, Filip Van Hool, chief executive of Van Hool, said: “With this new round of funding now in place, we look forward to expanding our successful zero-emission bus partnership with Ballard to include the roll-out of buses in additional European cities.”

There are currently 27 Van Hool fuel cell buses, powered by Ballard modules, in public transit operation. Ballard holds an estimated 80% share of the European market for fuel cell bus modules. Ballard anticipates receipt of purchase orders under the ESA will lead to delivery of these fuel cell modules to Van Hool in 2015 and 2016.