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European busmaker places big order for B.C.-based Ballard fuel cells

Solaris building 127 fuel-cell powered buses for Bologna, Italy
urbino-hydrogen-solaris
Polish bus-maker Solaris makes electric and hydrogen-powered buses.

Ballard Power (TSX,Nasdaq:BLDP) stock ticked up this morning more than two per cent on the news that Polish bus maker Solaris Bus & Coach has placed another significant order for fuel cell engines.

Ballard announced Tuesday that Solaris has placed an order for 177 fuel cell engines, following an order of 96 announced in August. That brings Solaris' total order for Ballard fuel cell engines to 270, Ballard said. Solaris is building 127 fuel-cell powered buses for Bologna, Italy.

The latest order will keep Ballard busy for more than two years. Ballard said will begin delivering fuel cell engines this year, with deliveries to continue between 2024 and 2026.

“We’re thrilled to see the continued success of our partner Solaris as they secure tender wins for fuel cell city bus deployments in Europe, further validating the value proposition of hydrogen-fueled buses to transit operators in the region,” Ballard CCO David Mucciacciaro said in a press release.

“There is growing interest in Europe for larger deployments of zero-emission, fuel cell electric buses that offer range, refueling time, and operating rhythm consistent with legacy diesel bus experience, while also avoiding the challenges and costs associated with scaling recharging infrastructure for larger fleets of battery electric buses.”

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