Ballard Helps Power the Future: Residential Fuel Cell Delivery Ceremony Held at the Japanese Prime Minister's Official Residence

VANCOUVER, British Columbia--April 14, 2005--Ballard Power Systems Inc. (TSX:BLD) is pleased to announce that a public ceremony for the delivery of the world's first commercial fuel cell power generator systems was held at the Japanese Prime Minister's new official residence on April 8, 2005. A unit manufactured by Ebara Ballard Corporation was delivered by Tokyo Gas, the key component of which is Ballard Power System's MK1030 one kilowatt fuel cell module. The systems have been installed as part of Japan's efforts to protect the environment and conserve energy through the promotion of fuel cell technology. In 2005, the Japanese government has committed approximately US$23 million in subsidies for residential cogeneration systems to support the advancement of the technology and market.

Tokyo Gas Chairman Kunio Anzai noted that the cogeneration systems have the potential to reduce household energy use by 20% and carbon dioxide emissions by 30%. In 2005, Tokyo Gas plans to install up to 200 units of the new systems in their supply area as part of their initial market launch.

Ballard Power Systems, in partnership with its Japanese joint venture, Ebara Ballard Corporation, has been involved in development of the cogeneration system for several years. The result of strong technology and marketing collaboration and hundreds of thousands of hours of validation and field trials, the system integrates the Ballard MK1030 1 kilowatt liquid cooled cogeneration stack, Ebara Ballard's balance of plant, and reforming technology developed by Tokyo Gas to convert natural gas from the pipeline into hydrogen to power the fuel cell cogeneration system.

The unique value proposition of the cogeneration system, which is installed directly at the homeowner's location, is that it simultaneously generates electricity and hot water for the home, reducing dependency on grid-based power in a country with some of the world's highest electricity rates, saves the customer money, and supports the Kyoto Accord CO2 reduction initiatives.

"The Japanese government continues to show tremendous foresight in its support of fuel cell initiatives through policy and promotion. In many ways, Japan leads the world by example," said Dennis Campbell, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ballard Power Systems. "With the support of Tokyo Gas, the supply of our MK1030 fuel cell module and our close partnership in Ebara Ballard, we are proud to play a role in helping Japan and the world realize the potential of fuel cell technology today."

For more information on the Limited Commercial Launch of the one kilowatt Residential Cogeneration System by TOKYO GAS visit www.ballard.com/be_a_customer/power_generation/fuel_cell_powergen/1kw_ residential_cogeneration_system.

About Ballard

Ballard Power Systems is recognized as the world leader in developing, manufacturing and marketing zero-emission proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Ballard's mission is to develop fuel cell power as a practical alternative to internal combustion engines through technology leadership.

To learn more about what Ballard is doing with Power to Change the World(R), visit www.ballard.com.

All figures are reported in US dollars, unless otherwise noted.