Both the companies plan to respond for proposals under the EU Hydrogen Fuel Cell Joint Undertaking and also to other future calls for proposals under the Horizon 2020 program, by February 2014.
There will be 27 Van Hool fuel cell buses in public transit operation in Europe in 2014, which are powered by Ballard fuel cell power modules.
For the Van Hool’s newly funded buses, Ballard will supply its FCvelocity-HD7 power module to incorporate into hybrid bus platforms, which are expected to offer improved durability and reliability along with significant cost reduction.
In addition, the MoU will allow to open service and parts center at Van Hool facilities in Belgium, to support all buses powered by Ballard fuel cells in Europe.
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."
