Ballard to Put Fuel Cell Buses into Service in British Columbia, Canada

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, 26 March 1996—Ballard Power Systems, Inc., announced today that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with the Province of British Columbia and BC Transit for the demonstration of three Ballard fuel cell transit buses. The $8.6 million, two-year program includes $8.37 million for Ballard for the three fuel cell buses, spares, fuel, program support, and the continued testing of Ballard’s commercial prototype fuel cell-powered transit bus.

Under the terms of the memorandum of understanding, Ballard will, upon receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, issue to the Province of British Columbia 180,000 common share purchase warrants. Each warrant will give the Province the right to purchase one Ballard common share for $25.625 for a period of four years from the date of issue. Formal program agreements and regulatory approvals are planned to be completed by April 30, 1996.

“It is very rewarding to be able to demonstrate Ballard’s fuel cell transit buses in British Columbia,” said Paul Howard, Ballard’s Vice President of Transportation Systems. “This program with BC Transit and our earlier announced demonstration with the Chicago [Illinois, U.S.A.] Transit Authority will give Ballard early market position and important field data to refine our fuel cell transit bus engine design for commercial production beginning in 1998.”

“The Province of British Columbia and BC Transit have been partners with Ballard since we began developing the Ballard Fuel Cell transit bus engine in 1991,” said Firoz Rasul, Ballard’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “British Columbia’s support, combined with that of CANMET of Natural Resources Canada and California’s South Coast Air Quality Management District [U.S.A.], resulted in the development of Ballard’s commercial prototype fuel cell-powered transit bus, which was completed in April, 1995. This fleet demonstration program with BC Transit is an important step to move Ballard’s zero-emission technology to commercial success.”

British Columbia Premier Glen Clark said this partnership between the Province and Ballard will result in BC Transit putting Ballard fuel cell transit buses into service. “Placing these pollution-free buses on the road reflects our commitment to preserving British Columbia’s natural environment,” he said. The Premier added that the successful commercialization of Ballard fuel cells will provide economic growth and expanded employment in the high technology sector in British Columbia.

Ballard Power Systems is the world leader in the development of proton exchange membrane fuel cell power systems. At the heart of its products is the Ballard fuel cell, a proprietary zero-emission engine that converts natural gas, methanol, or hydrogen fuel into electricity without combustion. Ballard fuel cells currently are being used by leading international companies, including Daimler-Benz, General Motors, Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft, Hitachi, and Honda to develop zero-emission vehicles and clean stationary electric power plants.

For further information, contact Paul Lancaster, Ballard Power Systems, Inc., 107-980 West First Street, North Vancouver, BC, V7P 3N4, Canada; phone: +1.604.986.9367; fax: +1.604.986.3262. ©1996. All Rights Reserved. A Publication of the National Hydrogen Association.
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