Ballard to be Exclusive Supplier of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Modules for New Flyer Shuttle Buses

13 February 2008

New Flyer Industries has signed an exclusive five-year agreement with Ballard Power Systems for use of hydrogen fuel cell modules in shuttle buses that New Flyer plans to develop. As part of this agreement, the companies will also combine efforts toward the joint preparation of bids for transit agency shuttle bus programs, with an initial focus on publicly-funded programs in Canada.

Under the agreement, New Flyer will develop and manufacture a shuttle bus specifically suited for Ballard’s fuel cell technology and Ballard’s existing fuel cell module will be integrated into the New Flyer shuttle bus chassis.

Shuttle buses are smaller and lighter than full-size buses—typically less than thirty-two feet in length—and are intended for use in a range of growing applications, such as community feeder routes, where their reduced noise profile and emission-free operation is highly valued. The partnership will focus on jointly pursuing procurement opportunities for these new fuel cell buses.

New Flyer’s commercial relationship with Ballard began in 1993, when the two companies developed the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell bus. In 2007, New Flyer was awarded a contract by BC Transit for which Ballard was named as the fuel cell technology provider. (Earlier post.)