Ballard signs non-binding MOU with Azure Hydrogen for fuel cell bus development in China
29 May 2013
Ballard Power Systems has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with its partner Azure Hydrogen Corporation of Beijing, China, extending the scope of their collaboration to include fuel cell buses. (Earlier post.)
The MOU with Azure envisions Ballard providing a manufacturing license agreement, engineering services, fuel cell stacks and components. As the MOU is non-binding, it is not a certainty that a definitive contract will be completed, however, the parties will move into the contract phase in the next several months. In the interim, under terms of the MOU, Azure has made a committed $1-million up-front payment to Ballard.
Azure plans to develop fuel cell bus capabilities in China with Ballard’s technical support and funding from Chinese sources, including both private investors as well as various levels of Government. If Azure is successful with its plans, the collaboration under this MOU would lead to the deployment of zero emission fuel cell buses in China.
Ballard fuel cell products are currently powering zero emission fuel cell buses in public transit service in more than 10 countries, including Canada, the US, Brazil, India, China and a number of European countries.
Azure China will probably mass produce lower cost Ballard Type FCs for buses at much lower cost, within a few years.
Lower cost FCs will further promote their use, as main power source and/or as range extender) in larger electrified vehicles.
Eventually, smaller, mass produced, made in China FC units will migrate to large pick-ups, SUVs and cars?
Posted by: HarveyD | 29 May 2013 at 09:07 AM
Bombardier Ground Transport (Germany) will produce a 40 ft. EV city bus with wireless quick charging, to extend range to 'round the clock' when enough charging spots are installed.
Those EV buses will require less maintenance, produce less noise and emissions and will last longer than current noisy diesel units.
Posted by: HarveyD | 29 May 2013 at 10:45 AM