Ballard Power Systems has announced that it has established a purchase order for the company's 70-kilowatt (kW) FCmoveTM-HD fuel cell modules from Tata Motors to power 15 of Tata's zero-emission Fuel Cell Electric Buses (FCEBs). Ballard plans to complete the delivery of all modules by 2022. The buses are planned for deployment in Faridabad, the largest city in the National Capital Region (NCR) of Delhi.
The 15 buses will be supplied by Tata to the Research & Development Centre of Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL). Tata and IOCL will mutually study the potential of fuel cell technology for commercial vehicles, comprising testing, maintenance, and operation of the FCEBs in real-world public transport conditions in India's National Capital Region. IOCL will also generate and dispense the hydrogen fuel to be used by the Ballard modules in these buses.
"We are thrilled to be working again with Tata Motors on this ground-breaking opportunity in India," noted Rob Campbell, Ballard's Chief Commercial Officer. "Ballard has unmatched experience powering buses in operation in many parts of the world, where we have demonstrated industry-leading performance. We are keen to engage with the largest commercial vehicle manufacturer in India, a market for which approximately 50,000 new buses are built annually."
Mr. Campbell added, "The FCmoveTM product is Ballard's 8th-generation engine for transit buses and reflects high performance, simplified design, and reduced cost from our prior generation product. As always, Ballard will work closely with Tata to ensure seamless integration of our engine into its FCEB design, along with the highest level of on-road performance."