European bus maker Solaris Bus and Coach has placed an order with Ballard Power Systems (TSX,Nasdaq: BLDP) for 96 hydrogen fuel cell engines – the biggest order Ballard has received to date from a European customer.
"Receiving our largest single order for fuel cell bus engines in Europe is a testament to the performance of our products and our partner's hydrogen-powered buses," Ballard COO David Mucciacciaro said in a press release.
"We believe these orders demonstrate broader acceptance of fuel cell buses that is driving deployment-level volumes for our customer and is a signpost on the journey towards decarbonization of city buses and the potential of widespread fuel cell bus adoption."
Solaris, a Polish bus manufacturer, ordered 52 fuel cell engines to power its Solaris Urbino hydrogen buses for public transport operator Rebus Regionalbus Rostock in Güstrow, Germany.
“Rebus is building two hydrogen refueling stations at depots in Güstrow and Bad Doberan to support the planned and future growth of hydrogen powered local public transportation,” Ballard noted in its press release.
Solaris has also ordered 44 fuel cell engines for buses in other European cities.
“These orders will add to the more than 110 fuel cell buses that Solaris has deployed with customers in Europe to date,” Ballard said.
Despite the increasing sales of Ballard fuel cells in Europe, the company still has yet to turn a profit.
According to Ballard's second quarter financials, the company posted a $40 million loss (US$30 million) for the quarter ending in June this year, which was an improvement over the second quarter of 2022, when the company's quarterly loss was $75 million (US$55.8 million).
