Burnaby’s Ballard Power Systems announced today that they will be supplying 1,000 hydrogen fuel cell engines to Solaris Bus & Coach through 2027 for the European transit bus market.
Supported by policy tailwinds and regulations to decarbonize public urban transport fleets, the transition to zero emission city buses has accelerated in recent years as the value proposition of hydrogen fuel cells are increasingly understood.
The long term supply agreement (LTSA) consolidates existing orders for approximately 300 fuel cell engines, while adding after-market and extended warranty services to such existing orders, with a new supply commitment for an incremental approximately 700 fuel cell engines and related after-market extended warranty services.
This consolidated order represents the largest order of fuel cell engines in Ballard’s history and marks a significant step forward in the relationship with Solaris.
The 1,000 units will be made up of 70 kW and 100 kW engines to address both the 12-metre and 18-metre bus markets, with delivery starting in 2024 and running through the end of 2027.
These engines are expected to be deployed in buses across Europe where Solaris buses powered by Ballard fuel cell engines currently operate in over 22 European cities.
“This landmark agreement embarks on the next phase of Ballard and Solaris’ partnership to accelerate fuel cell bus adoption in Europe, leveraging Ballard’s proven product performance, as the energy transition gains momentum,” said Randy MacEwen, Ballard President and Chief Executive Officer.
“This LTSA is a testament to our collaborative efforts with Solaris spanning over a decade in bringing safe, competitive, durable, zero emission solutions to transit operators across Europe. We are on the road to achieving scaled deployment of fuel cell buses, which is a critical lever to facilitate economies of scale and cost down initiatives, driving improved economics and reduced emissions for fleet operators.”
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