Ballard Secures Major Order for 200 Hydrogen Fuel Cell Engines to Power Next-Gen Buses

Burnaby’s Ballard Power Systems has announced a new purchase order to supply 200 fuel cell engines to New Flyer, one of North America’s and Europe’s leading independent bus and coach manufacturers.

This order, representing approximately 20 megawatts of power, doubles the first purchase of 100 engines earlier this year, highlighting the growing shift towards sustainable transportation.

Scheduled for delivery in 2025, these fuel cell engines will power New Flyer’s next-generation Xcelsior CHARGE FC™ hydrogen fuel cell buses, set to be deployed across major U.S. states, including California, Washington, Arizona, Nevada, and New York.

These new buses are part of New Flyer’s commitment to zero-emission solutions in mass transit, leveraging Ballard’s hydrogen fuel cell technology to provide long range, fast refueling, and reliable performance across diverse weather conditions.

“We are thrilled to strengthen our partnership with Ballard and bring cutting-edge zero-emission fuel cell buses to the market,” said David White, Executive Vice President of Supply Management at NFI, New Flyer’s parent company. White noted the increasing interest from transit operators aiming to meet zero-emission goals, adding, “We are committed to supporting our customers through their journey to sustainability.”

Ballard’s Chief Commercial Officer, David Mucciacciaro, emphasized the importance of the order as a milestone for hydrogen fuel cell adoption in transit. “This order demonstrates New Flyer’s continued confidence in the performance of Ballard’s fuel cell engines and the growing market interest in the value proposition of hydrogen fuel cell buses,” Mucciacciaro said.

With this expanded partnership, both Ballard and New Flyer are set to support the transition to greener mass transit, aligning with broader climate targets and sustainable urban mobility initiatives across the United States.

In September Ballard announced a global restructuring plan to cut costs and strengthen its financial position. The move came in response to slower progress in building hydrogen infrastructure and delays in fuel cell adoption.