Ballard to Power First Canadian Fuel Cell Car Demonstration Fleet

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia--June 8, 2003--Ballard Power Systems (TSX: BLD; NASDAQ: BLDP) fuel cell power trains will power a fleet of five Ford Focus fuel cell vehicles, in Vancouver, in a three year field trial program to begin early in 2004. This demonstration is a collaboration between Fuel Cells Canada, Ford Motor Company and the Provincial and Federal Governments.
    "Ballard is proud to support the launch of Ford's customer demonstration fleet here in Vancouver, which marks Canada's first fuel cell car demonstration program," said Dennis Campbell, Ballard's President and Chief Executive Officer. "These five cars are the first of up to 100 Ford fuel cell vehicles, powered by Ballard(TM), that will be placed in service through 2005. With this demonstration program, the Government of Canada is helping Canadians remain at the forefront of the fuel cell industry and furthering the commercialization of fuel cell vehicles."
    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. Ballard is also commercializing electric drives for fuel cell and other electric vehicles, power conversion products and is a Tier 1 automotive supplier of friction materials for power train 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 and Coleman Powermate, among others.
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