Ballard Power Systems’ fuel cell modules will power another ten Van Hool A330 model fuel cell electric buses in Emmen, the Netherlands, as part of the JIVE2 funding programme.

The Vancouver-based company today (17th Dec) said it will deliver the modules in 2021. The buses are planned for deployment in 2022, with the Groningen-Drenthe and Qbuzz, Emmen’s public transport agency.

Supporting the busses will be a new hydrogen refuelling station, for which Shell has been contracted to build. The major oil company will develop a ten-megawatt plant for onsite hydrogen production of the green hydrogen.

Collectively, the fuel cell bus fleet is expected to use 60-90 tonnes of green hydrogen annually.

Commenting on the bus deployment, Filip Van Hool, CEO of Van Hool said, “We are keen to deploy more fuel cell electric buses, powered by Ballard, in European cities. The successful integration of Ballard products into our buses, including the A330, has enabled progress toward commercialisation of fuel cells in public transportation.”

Rob Campbell, Ballard Chief Commercial Officer added, “Ballard is delighted to continue our collaboration with Van Hool and we are very pleased to now provide fuel cell power modules for additional buses to be deployed in the Netherlands.”

“With these buses Ballard will have powered more than 100 Van Hool fuel cell electric buses operating in The Netherlands – including the cities of Groningen and Emmen – and in France, Germany, Norway, Belgium and Denmark.”