Ballard Power Systems announced that it has signed a Long-Term Sales Agreement (LTSA) with Solaris Bus & Coach, a bus OEM headquartered in Poland, for the sale and supply of fuel cell modules to support deployment of Solaris hydrogen buses in Europe. An initial order placed under the LTSA is for 10 FCveloCity®-HD fuel cell modules, with deliveries planned to start in 2017.
Each 85 kilowatt FCveloCity®-HD fuel cell module that has been ordered will be deployed as a range extender in a Solaris Trollino model low-floor trolley bus. Solaris has signed a contract with Rigas Satiksme, the transport operator in the city of Riga, Latvia for 10 of the Trollino trolley buses. These fuel cell buses represent a highly flexible clean energy mass transportation solution, since they will be capable of operating on routes that have no overhead or catenary wiring.
Karim Kassam, Ballard’s Vice President – Commercial said, “We look forward to our long-term partnership with Solaris. We believe this initial deployment of 10 buses will represent the first hydrogen fuel cell-equipped trolley buses anywhere in the world.”
The Solaris Trollino model articulated bus that will be delivered to Rigas is 18.75 meters (61.5 feet) long and is equipped with a battery. The onboard fuel cell module will engage as the trolley bus moves into any portion of its route that does not have catenary wiring, thereby extending the operating range of the bus. The fuel cell module is a clean energy alternative to diesel auxiliary power units (APUs) currently used in Trollino buses.
Andreas Strecker, Solaris CEO said, “I am extremely proud that we will manufacture the first hydrogen-powered trolley buses in Europe in cooperation with Rigas Satiksme, one of our most faithful customers.”
Source: Ballard
