Ballard wins deal to supply 200 hydrogen fuel cells to New Flyer buses
Ballard Power Systems has announced a significant order to supply 200 fuel cell ‘engines’ to New Flyer – the major North American bus manufacturer.
Doubling a previous order under their long-term supply agreement, the 20 megawatts’ worth of fuel cell engines will power New Flyer’s next-gen Xcelsior CHARGE FC™ buses, set to hit the roads across California, Washington, Arizona, Nevada, and New York by 2025.
New Flyer’s hydrogen ambitions for 2025
The upcoming Xcelsior CHARGE FC™ buses will showcase hydrogen as a serious contender for sustainable mass transit.
They boast a range designed to tackle long routes and the ability to refuel in just minutes, meaning the fuel cell buses offer an attractive alternative for cities aiming to balance zero emissions with robust performance.
David White, Executive Vice President of Supply Management at New Flyer’s parent company NFI, expressed confidence in Ballard’s technology, saying:
“As more transit operators transition to zero-emission fleets, they are increasingly adopting fuel cell technology to meet their goals. We are thrilled to strengthen our partnership with Ballard and bring cutting-edge zero-emission fuel cell buses to the market.”
Why hydrogen over batteries?
New Flyer’s choice to invest in hydrogen reflects its practical advantages for heavy-duty transit.
Fuel cell buses offer a longer range, faster refueling, and consistent performance across weather conditions – ideal for cities with busy schedules and demanding routes.
Battery-electric buses, while also zero-emission, can require more downtime for recharging, which can be challenging in some high-traffic areas.
Ballard’s Chief Commercial Officer, David Mucciacciaro, highlighted the order as a sign of growing confidence in hydrogen-powered transit, saying:
“This order demonstrates New Flyer’s continued confidence in the performance of Ballard’s fuel cell engines and the growing market interest in hydrogen fuel cell buses.”
