Ballard Power Systems announced that the Company has signed a 3.5-year extension to its current Technology Solutions contract with AUDI, to extend the HyMotion program to August 2022.
The aggregate value of the contract extension is expected to be C$80-to-130 million (US$62-100 million). The program will support Audi through its small series production launch.
The HyMotion program encompasses automotive fuel cell stack development as well as system design support activities.
Peter Mertens, board member for Technical Development at AUDI said, “Our collaboration with Ballard has enabled the acceleration of our automotive fuel cell program, by bringing together fuel cell skills and expertise in both organizations. We have developed demonstration cars using fuel cell technology and design from the HyMotion program, and are working toward a small series production launch.”
Randy MacEwen, Ballard president and CEO stated, “Ballard is committed to supporting Volkswagen and Audi’s corporate fuel cell automotive goals and objectives. We believe the Ballard-designed fuel cell stacks integrated into Audi’s propulsion systems and vehicles will deliver outstanding automotive fuel cell performance, including highest power density, lightest weight, highest durability and robust freeze start capabilities.”
MacEwen added, “The automotive industry is undergoing extraordinary transformation, driven by electrification, shared mobility and autonomy. We believe shared mobility and autonomy will fundamentally change passenger car utilization rates, with much longer daily range requirements and longer hours of operation.”
MacEwen further said the fuel cell electrification will uniquely provide the passenger vehicle market with zero-emissions, low noise and smooth acceleration while also meeting long daily range and rapid refueling requirements.”
Kevin Colbow, Ballard’s vice president – Technology and Product Development, said, “Our highly experienced team of HyMotion engineers and scientists are collaborating closely with Audi’s fuel cell competence center. We recently completed a series of regularly scheduled program update meetings with Audi in Germany and can confirm that we remain on-track with respect to our program goals.”
Ballard signed an initial 4-year contract with Volkswagen AG in March 2013, followed by a 2-year extension in February 2015, with the full 6-year contract term running to March 2019. AUDI AG assumed leadership of the program in 2016.
Concept cars representing multiple Volkswagen and Audi brand models, and utilizing technology and components developed through the HyMotion program with Ballard, have been unveiled at Detroit and LA Auto Shows over the past several years. This has included the Golf SportWagen HyMotion, Passat HyMotion and Audi A7 Sportback h-tron quattro.