Canadian fuel-cell developer Ballard Power Systems will supply 40 modules for European hydrogen-fueled electric buses next year, continuing its run of continent-wide H2-powered transit awards in recent years.
Ballard’s 40 FCmove-HD (70kW) modules will be deployed in France, German and the United Kingdom. Rouen, France is deploying its first fleet of zero-emission fuel-cell electric buses using Ballard technology, while the French city of Pau is expanding its existing fleet.
The area of Frankfurt, Germany is also expanding the number of zero-emission FCEBs powered by Ballard fuel cell technology. There are now six German cities with Ballard fuel cell buses in service or development, an increase of three cities since last year, the company reported.
Brighton, England is the first UK municipality of its kind to have a publicly stated zero emissions goal by 2030, for its fleet of nearly 500 buses. Brighton's initial order of 20 FCEBs is the first phase of FCEB development, with supportive funding from the JIVE program and the UK's Ultra Low Emission Bus Scheme.
"The hydrogen fuel cell bus market momentum continues to accelerate throughout Europe. In only twelve months, we have expanded from 10 into over 25 cities, across 10 European countries," said Oben Uluc, Ballard's Director, European Sales. "With orders in hand to double the number of FCEBs driving passengers on European city streets, we see an exciting forward step change in the adoption of FCEBs. We see a strong growth ramp over the coming decade as our bus OEM customers deliver Ballard-powered FCEBs to transit operators planning to decarbonize their bus fleets."
Nearly 160 hydrogen FCEBs powered by Ballard are now in service across Europe, an increase of over 80 percent since October 2020. There are approximately 150 fuel cell modules currently on order with Ballard to support the deployment of an additional 150 FCEBs in the European market, inclusive of the announcement today.
