Canada-based Ballard Power Systems has signed a contract with the German automobile manufacturer Volkswagen for the development of fuel cells to be used in demonstration cars.
Development work will include the design and manufacture of fuel cell for Volkswagen HyMotion demonstration cars that will be led by the Ballard engineers including in the areas of fuel cell product design, membrane electrode assembly (MEA), plate and stack components.
The contract is for four years with an option for a two year extension and the contract value is between CAD60m ($58.1m) and CAD100m ($96.9m).
Volkswagen Group Research head Juergen Leohold said that the research agreement with Ballard is part of company's development of clean energy fuel cell transportation alternatives.
"I anticipate accelerating our automotive fuel cell program as a result of this collaborative effort, which will bring together additional fuel cell skills and expertise in both organizations," Leohold added.
Ballard president and CEO John Sheridan said, "Ballard's focus with Volkswagen in this new automotive fuel cell research program will parallel our continuing work in commercial fuel cell markets for backup power and material handling enhancing product durability and performance while radically reducing product costs."
