Ballard's Ecostar 80 V Electric Drive System Is Set To Power Ground Support Equipment

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia--April 30, 2002-- The Electric Drives Group, part of Ballard Power Systems' Electric Drives & Power Conversion Division (formally Ecostar Electric Drive Systems), is launching its first new product since becoming part of Ballard. Ballard has begun taking orders for the Ecostar(TM) 80 V electric drive system, designed for battery-powered airport baggage handlers and tugs - the workhorses doing the heavy pulling at all major airports.
    Development of this drive train for airport ground support equipment (GSE) began several years ago when Ballard engineers met with representatives from major North American airlines to determine their requirements for GSE systems. The result was a Ballard designed electric-powered, zero-emission drive system that meets the demanding needs of airports and can easily be integrated into GSE manufacturers' vehicle designs.
    "Ballard's Ecostar(TM) 80 V electric drive system has been evaluated by five major airlines and we are starting to receive orders," said John Everton, director of Ballard's Electric Drives Group. "We are ready to help clean the air at airports with the most complete electric drive system solution for ground support equipment that also offers airline operators a number of additional advantages over their current equipment."
    The Ecostar(TM) 80 V electric drive is a total system solution, including an integrated drive axle assembly, 80 V AC controller, DC/DC converter, brake pressure transducer for intelligent regenerative braking, electronic accelerator pedal, and an integrated display gauge with battery state-of-charge readout.
    The Ecostar(TM) 80 V electric drive system was thoroughly tested at component, system and vehicle levels using stringent automotive industry practices to ensure reliability and durability.
    Ballard can also provide a derivative of the Ecostar(TM) 80 V AC electric drive system designed to drive conventional axles or power the pump in hydraulically driven systems as well as a dual motor (60 kW, 80 hp) version for higher power applications.

    SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS

    30 kW (40 hp) peak power
    24 kW (32 hp) continuous power
    4,700 lbs static drawbar
    20 mph top speed
    300 Nm (221 ft-lbs) motor torque
    7,500 Nm (5500 ft-lbs) axle output

    Ballard Electric Drives Group is responsible for electric drive systems, auxiliary motors, DC/DC converters and other advanced electronic systems at Ballard.
    Ballard Power Systems is recognized as the world leader in developing, manufacturing and marketing zero-emission proton exchange membrane ("PEM") 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 offers complete fuel cell systems solutions and in developing these products has developed advanced system components that can be applied to both fuel cell and non-fuel cell applications.
    Ballard is commercializing electric drives for fuel cell and battery-powered electric vehicles and power conversion products for fuel cells and other distributed generation 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, Coleman Powermate and Matsushita Electric Works, among others.