Ballard Power Systems (NASDAQ:BLDP) (TSX:BLD) today announced that it has signed a Long-Term Sales Agreement with Solaris Bus & Coach a bus OEM headquartered in Poland, for the sale and supply of fuel cell modules to support deployment of Solaris fuel cell buses in Europe. An initial order placed under the LTSA is for 10 FCveloCity^®-HD fuel cell modules, with deliveries planned to start in 2017.

Each 85 kilowatt FCveloCity^®-HD fuel cell module that has been ordered will be deployed as a range extender in a Solaris Trollino model low-floor trolley bus. Solaris has signed a contract with Rigas Satiksme, the transport operator in the city of Riga, Latvia for 10 of the Trollino trolley buses. These fuel cell buses represent a highly flexible clean energy mass transportation solution, since they will be capable of operating on routes that have no overhead or catenary wiring.

Karim Kassam, Ballard’s Vice President – Commercial said, “We look forward to our long-term partnership with Solaris. We believe this initial deployment of 10 buses will represent the first fuel cell-equipped trolley buses deployed anywhere in the world.”

Solaris is a major European manufacturer of city, intercity and special-purpose buses as well as low-floor trams. Since the start of production in 1996, Solaris has manufactured over 15,000 vehicles for delivery to 30 countries including Latvia, where the company has been active since 2001.

The Solaris Trollino model articulated bus that will be delivered to Rigas is 18.75 meters (61.5 feet) long and is equipped with a battery. The onboard fuel cell module will engage as the trolley bus moves into any portion of its route that does not have catenary wiring, thereby extending the operating range of the bus. The fuel cell module is a clean energy alternative to diesel auxiliary power units (APUs) currently used in Trollino buses.

Dr. Andreas Strecker, Solaris CEO said, “I am extremely proud that we will manufacture the first hydrogen-powered trolley buses in Europe in cooperation with Rigas Satiksme, one of our most faithful customers.”

Dr. Eng. Dariusz Michalak, Solaris Deputy CEO added, “The contract we have just signed with the operator of Latvia’s capital city is another milestone on the road to considerably increase the number of hydrogen-powered buses in Europe.”

About Ballard Power Systems

Ballard Power Systems provides clean energy products that reduce customer costs and risks, and helps customers solve difficult technical and business challenges in their fuel cell programs.