News

Ballard Powers First Fuel-Cell-Powered Ford Focus

September 27, 2004 by Jeff Shepard

Ballard Power Systems Inc. (Vancouver, BC, Canada) reported that the first production vehicles powered with Ballard® fuel cells, and built by Ford Motor Co. for customer use under the US Department of Energy demonstration program, were unveiled in Detroit. Ballard, together with Alliance partners DaimlerChrysler and Ford, placed a large fleet of fuel cell vehicles in the hands of customers, further advancing the path to commercialization. Nearly half of the Department of Energy’s announced fleets under the Hydrogen Economy Initiative will be Ford and DaimlerChrysler vehicles, all powered with Ballard fuel cells.

"The launch of this Ford fuel cell demonstration fleet, together with the previously announced DaimlerChrysler deployments of cars, vans and buses powered with Ballard fuel cells, clearly demonstrates the strength and leadership of our fuel cell Alliance," stated Ballard President and Chief Executive Officer Dennis Campbell. "This unique collaboration between Ford, DaimlerChrysler and Ballard Power Systems is fielding the most extensive fuel cell vehicle demonstration ever undertaken. Over the next two years, more than 120 Alliance-built fuel cell vehicles will be on the road in the hands of end-use customers in 13 different countries. The experience we are gaining under actual driving conditions will add immeasurably to our fundamental technology understanding, and keep the Alliance at the forefront of the most sweeping transformation in the history of motor transport."