Ballard Extends Industry Lead With Unveiling of Next Generation Fuel Cell
10 January 2000
Ballard Extends Industry Lead With Unveiling of Next Generation Fuel Cell
DETROIT--Jan. 9, 2000--Ballard Power (TSE:BLD.) Ballard Power Systems unveiled its next generation fuel cell stack, the Mark 900, in Detroit, MI, today. The fuel cell stack is incorporated in the Ballard(R) Mark 900 Series Fuel Cell Power Module, uses low-cost materials and is designed for manufacturing in automotive volumes. The Mark 900 is significantly more powerful and compact than any proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell publicly shown to date."With the introduction of this advanced fuel cell, we are further extending our lead in this emerging technology," said Firoz Rasul, Ballard's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
The fuel cell stack alone features a power density increase of almost 30 per cent to 1,310 watts per litre. The Mark 900 module, configured for automotive use, generates 75 kilowatts of power, yet occupies approximately half the space and weighs about 30 per cent less than Ballard's previous automotive fuel cell, the Mark 700. The Mark 900 module is suitable for operation using hydrogen or methanol reformate and will start in temperatures as low as -25 C (-13 F).
The Mark 900 module utilizes a single integrated fuel cell stack. This replaces the two or three distinct Mark 700 stacks used in various automotive prototypes currently powered by Ballard(R) fuel cells, including DaimlerChrysler's Necar 4, Ford's P2000, Honda's FCX V1, and Nissan's FCV.
The Mark 900 reflects Ballard's technical leadership and is built on extensive laboratory and field testing. During the past six years, 20 vehicles have taken to the road using Ballard's previous generation fuel cells, including 11 buses and nine cars. Data and experience gained from the operation of those vehicles is incorporated in the Mark 900 fuel cell. Ballard's technological leadership is both confirmed and protected by its intellectual property position.
"The architecture of the Mark 900 fuel cell incorporates low-cost materials, provides high performance, utilizes volume-manufacturing processes, and forms the foundation for fuel cells for transportation, stationary and portable applications," said Kip Smith, Ballard President and Chief Operating Officer. "The common architecture will allow economies of scale across the Ballard product portfolio."
Ballard is building volume-manufacturing capability for its range of fuel cell products in a new 110,000 sq. foot (9,900 sq. metre) facility.
This release contains forward-looking statements reflecting Ballard Power Systems' current expectations as contemplated under the Safe Harbor provisions of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Law of 1995. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statemenation, product development delays, changing environmental regulations, the ability to attract and retain business partners, future levels of government funding, competition from other fuel cell manufacturers, competition from other advanced energy technologies, competition from existing energy technologies, evolving markets for electric power and transportation vehicles, and the ability to provide the capital required for product development, operations and marketing. Investors are encouraged to review the section Management Discussion and Analysis in Ballard's 1998 Annual Report titled "Operating Results, Capital Requirements, and Risks" (pages 30-34) for a complete discussion of factors that could affect Ballard's future performance.
Ballard Power Systems is the world leader in developing, manufacturing and marketing zero-emission proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells for use in transportation, electricity generation and portable power products. Ballard Power Systems' proprietary fuel cell technology is enabling automobile, electrical equipment and portable power product manufacturers to develop environmentally clean products for sale. The fundamental component of these end-user products is the Ballard(R) fuel cell that combines hydrogen (which can be obtained from methanol, natural gas or petroleum) and oxygen (from air) without combustion to generate electricity. Ballard is partnering with strong, world-leading companies, including DaimlerChrysler, Ford, GPU International, ALSTOM and EBARA, to commercialize Ballard fuel cells. Ballard has also supplied fuel cells to General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, Volkswagen, Yamaha, Cinergy 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 and the Ballard logo are registered trademarks of Ballard Power Systems Inc.