Ballard extends UK fuel cell bus fleet deal

VANCOUVER — Ballard Power Systems has signed an agreement with Transport for London (TfL) to extend the operation of eight zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell buses in London, UK for five more years.

TfL began operation of the first five zero-emission fuel cell buses in 2010 as part of its publicly stated goal to reduce CO2 emissions 60% from the 1990 level, by 2025. Three additional zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell buses joined the fleet in 2013.

The eight buses, powered by Ballard’s FCvelocity fuel cell module, are operated on TfL’s central Covent Garden-Tower Gateway route. The fleet has been in service for more than 73,000 hours.

The contract extension is partially funded by the EU Hydrogen Fuel Cell Joint Undertaking, a public-private partnership supporting research, technological development and demonstration activities in fuel cell and hydrogen energy technologies, which provides subsidies for eligible projects through a cost sharing mechanism.

Ballard is a developer of fuel-cell technology based in Vancouver.