First Ballard-Powered Buses Hitting the Road in China’s Largest Fuel Cell Bus Deployment

Ballard Power Systems (NASDAQ: BLDP; TSX: BLD) today announced the commissioning and deployment of an initial 12 fuel cell-powered buses in the District of Sanshui, in the City of Foshan, in the Province of Guangdong, China. The buses will be operated by Foshan Sanshui Guohong Public Transit Co. Ltd., on demonstration route #682 from Gaofeng Park Station to Shuidu Industrial Park Station.

The buses are 11 meters in length and feature advanced safety systems, 80 person capacity, anticipated driving range in excess of 300 kilometers, expected hydrogen gas consumption of less than 6.5 kilograms per 100 kilometers, zero tailpipe emissions and remote monitoring. Unlike many battery electric bus routes, the transit route in Foshan will not require any catenary wires or on-route recharging.

Randy MacEwen, Ballard’s President & CEO said, “In September 2015 we announced the planned deployment of 300 fuel cell-powered buses in Foshan/Yunfu. Our program consortium has made considerable progress over the past year, including localization of Ballard-designed fuel cell engines, establishment of a fuel cell bus manufacturing facility, local procurement activities, development of systems integration capabilities, national permitting of a fuel cell bus platform, preparations for hydrogen refueling infrastructure and development of our China service team.”

Mr. MacEwen continued, “Now the first installment of zero-emission fuel cell buses is hitting the roads in Foshan, with the commissioning of an initial 12 buses in passenger service. This marks the largest deployment of fuel cell buses in China’s history. The Foshan and Yunfu governments are demonstrating strong vision and leadership by solving a growing need for mass urban transit while responsibly addressing local air quality and stimulating local economic development.”

Ballard’s program partners include:

• Guangdong Nation Synergy Hydrogen Power Technology Co. Ltd. (“Synergy”), providing 85 kilowatt fuel cell engines designed by Ballard;
• Foshan Feichi Bus (“Feichi”), manufacturer of the buses;
• Shanghai Reinventing Fire Technology Company Limited (“Re-Fire”), a leading Chinese fuel cell vehicle systems integrator that has integrated the fuel cell engines into the Feichi buses; and
• Zhangjiagang Furui Special Equipment Co., Ltd. (“Furuise”), a Chinese leader in liquefying, storage, transit and application of liquefied naturalgas, including LNG and CNG vehicle gas filling stations and is expected to be the provider of hydrogen refueling infrastructure.

Mr. Xu Guo, Vice Mayor of the City of Foshan/Yunfu said, “We are moving the Cities of Foshan and Yunfu into the future by adopting zero-emission fuel cell buses that have long range, fast refueling and outstanding passenger
comfort. We expect additional routes to be commissioned in the coming months.”

Mr. Frank Ma, Chairman of Synergy stated, “In the past year we have localized Ballard-designed fuel cell modules in Foshan/Yunfu to meet the fast growing demand for clean energy buses in China. Our program for 300 fuel cell buses will now enter the next phase of rapid scaling.”

Mr. Jiang Yong, General Manager of Feichi added, “We are thrilled with the progress made with Feichi fuel cell buses. Our 11 meter fuel cell bus platform has been permitted. Our new fuel cell bus manufacturing facility in Yunfu has been completed. And, we are first-to-market in China with a leading fuel cell bus offering.”

About Ballard Power Systems

Ballard Power Systems (NASDAQ: BLDP; TSX: BLD) provides clean energy products that reduce customer costs and risks, and helps customers solve difficult technical and business challenges in their fuel cell programs. To learn more about Ballard, please visit www.ballard.com.