Ballard Power Systems (BPS) has entered into a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Belgian bus manufacturer Van Hool in support of the manufacture and further deployment of zero emission fuel cell buses.
By February 2014, the companies plan to jointly respond to last week's call for proposals under the EU Hydrogen Fuel Cell Joint Undertaking, and also plan to jointly respond to other future calls for proposals under the Horizon 2020 program.
As a part of this agreement, there will be 27 Van Hool fuel cell buses in public transit operation in 2014 in Europe, which are powered by Ballard fuel cell power modules.
Van Hool board chairman Leopold Van Hool said: "With the signing of this MOU, we look forward to expanding the success of our zero-emission bus partnership with Ballard to include even more cities in the European transit bus market."
Ballard will deliver its next-generation fuel cell power module to Van Hool for incorporation into hybrid bus platforms for the newly funded buses.
The MOU will also establish a service and parts center at Van Hool facilities in Belgium, to support all buses powered by Ballard fuel cells in Europe.
