Ballard Power Systems: DaimlerChrysler Unveils Advanced Concept Car Powered by Ballard Fuel Cells

Business Wire, March 17, 1999

VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 17, 1999-- Ballard Power (NASDAQ:BLDPF)(TSE:BLD.) Ballard Power Systems Inc. announced that its strategic partner, DaimlerChrysler AG, unveiled its latest advanced fuel cell powered concept car today in Washington, D.C.

The vehicle, which is known as "NECAR 4" is based upon the Mercedes-Benz A Class sub-compact car and is DaimlerChrysler's fourth prototype passenger vehicle powered by Ballard Fuel Cells. The NECAR 4 has a range of 280 miles fueled by liquid hydrogen. The only emission from the vehicle's exhaust is water vapor. The NECAR 4 engine was developed by dbb fuel cell engines and the vehicle uses an electric drive train from Ecostar Electric Drive Systems. Ecostar and dbb are jointly owned by DaimlerChrysler, Ford and Ballard.

"The NECAR 4 represents the advancements in fuel cells, fuel cell engines and electric drive trains developed by the companies of the fuel cell alliance formed by Ballard, DaimlerChrysler and Ford," said Firoz Rasul, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ballard. "We continue to be on track to meet our customers' fuel cell vehicle commercialization goals."

Ballard Power Systems is the world leader in developing, manufacturing and marketing zero-emission proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells for use in transportation, electricity generation and portable products. Ballard Power Systems' proprietary fuel cell technology is enabling automobile, electrical equipment and portable power product manufacturers to develop environmentally clean products for sale. The fundamental component of these end-user products is the Ballard Fuel Cell, which combines hydrogen (which can be obtained from methanol, natural gas or petroleum) and oxygen (from air) without combustion to generate electricity. Ballard is partnering with strong, world-leading companies including DaimlerChrysler, Ford, GPU International, ALSTOM and EBARA to commercialize the Ballard Fuel Cell. Additional customers using the Ballard Fuel Cell include General Motors, Nissan, Honda, Volkswagen, Matsushita Electric Works, and Cinergy.