Ballard Power Systems and Ford Power Products Unveil the World's First Hydrogen Generator Set

    DEARBORN, Mich.--Aug. 7, 2002--Ballard Power Systems (TSX:BLD) and Ford Power Products, the powertrain sales office of Ford Motor Company, today jointly introduced and demonstrated Ballard's Ecostar(TM) hydrogen generator set ("genset"), the world's first hydrogen fueled internal combustion engine driven genset.
    The Ecostar(TM) hydrogen genset will be the cleanest combustion generator on the market. This environmental profile makes the genset an attractive alternative to small turbines or combustion engines using other fuels. The initial market for this product will be utilities for peak power applications.
    "Working with Ford Power Products, we are proud to demonstrate Ballard's leadership in the introduction of revolutionary, clean, power generation solutions," said Ross Witschonke, Vice President and General Manager of Ballard's Electric Drives & Power Conversion Division. "In addition to providing our customers with clean, siteable power, this new product will provide Ballard with early revenue opportunities, will increase public awareness of alternative fuels and power solutions and assist in the development of a hydrogen infrastructure."
    The Ecostar(TM) hydrogen genset is capable of producing 114 kVA of power at several voltage levels and phase options and is based upon a standard 6.8-liter Ford production engine that has been modified and warranted by Ford Power Products for hydrogen use. Commercial production of the hydrogen genset will begin in the fourth quarter of 2002.
    "The adaptation from a research and development proof-of-concept engine to a production ready design was a short 12 months, a tribute to our team, development partner Ballard and suppliers," said Paul Moore, Director of Operations and Sales for Ford Power Products.
    The Ecostar(TM) hydrogen genset joins the natural gas fueled genset introduced by Ballard three weeks ago, as the second product in the family of gensets introduced by Ballard using Ford Power Products engines. Additional Ecostar(TM) gensets, providing cost effective solutions to customers, enhanced performance and a superior environmental profile, are expected to be introduced over the next few years.
    Ford Power Products supplies and markets Ford powertrains for use in non-automotive applications. Since 1947, it has been a global leader in providing superior value in power systems and service for industrial, marine and on-highway Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). Ford Power Products' strategy includes a strong position in emerging fuels and emissions technology. A photograph of the Ecostar(TM) hydrogen genset is available on Ballard Power Systems' website at www.ballard.com or on Ford Power Products' website at www.fordpowerproducts.com.
    This release contains forward-looking statements that are based on the beliefs of Ballard's management and reflect Ballard's current expectations as contemplated under the Safe Harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this release, the words "estimate", "project", "believe", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may", "should", "will", the negative of these words or such other variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current views of Ballard with respect to future events based on currently available information and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in those forward-looking statements.
    Ballard Power Systems is recognized as the world leader in developing, manufacturing and marketing zero-emission proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Ballard is commercializing fuel cell engines for transportation applications and fuel cell systems for portable and stationary products ranging from 1 kilowatt to 250 kilowatts. Ballard is also commercializing electric drives for fuel cell and battery-powered electric vehicles, power conversion products for fuel cells, natural gas and hydrogen generator sets and other distributed generation products, and is a Tier 1 automotive supplier of friction materials for powertrain components. Ballard's proprietary technology is enabling automobile, bus, electrical equipment, portable power and stationary product manufacturers to develop environmentally clean products for sale. Ballard is partnering with strong, world-leading companies, including DaimlerChrysler, Ford, EBARA, ALSTOM and FirstEnergy, to commercialize BALLARD(R) fuel cells. Ballard has supplied fuel cells to Honda, Nissan, Volkswagen, Yamaha, Cinergy, Coleman Powermate and Matsushita Electric Works, among others.
    Ballard's Common shares are listed on The Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "BLD" and on the Nasdaq National Market System under the symbol "BLDP". Ballard, the Ballard logo and Power to Change the World are registered trademarks of Ballard Power Systems Inc. Ecostar is a registered trademark of Ballard Power Systems Corp. Ford Power Products, the Ford Power Products logo and The Source for Power...Worldwide are registered trademarks of Ford Motor Company.