Ballard Supports California Air Resource Board Amendments
to Zero-Emission Vehicle Regulations
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--JANUARY 26, 2001 - 13:07 EST
Ballard Power Systems announced today
that it supports the California Air Resource Board (CARB)
resolution of January 25, 2001, to amend its Zero-Emission Vehicle
(ZEV) regulations.
"We are pleased with CARB's decision to maintain its course
towards the commercial introduction of zero-emission vehicles,"
said Firoz Rasul, Chairman and CEO of Ballard Power Systems. "The
maintenance of a pure zero emission vehicle requirement of two per
cent, which can be met with vehicles such as those powered by
hydrogen fuel cells, provides an incentive and a clear roadmap for
the continued investment in fuel cell vehicle technology."
The regulations require that, beginning in 2003, a minimum of 10
per cent of vehicles sold by auto manufacturers in California meet
low or zero-emission vehicle standards. Amendment highlights
include permitting auto makers to use a broader range of fuel cell
vehicles (including those fuelled with methanol or petroleum
fuels), and other advanced vehicle technologies, to fulfil their
requirements while maintaining a pure ZEV requirement of two per
cent. In addition, the regulations provide an incentive for the
development of advanced electric vehicle componentry that can be
used in fuel cell vehicles. CARB also resolved that it would no
longer undertake a biennial review of the regulations.
Ballard Power Systems is recognized as the world leader in
developing, manufacturing and marketing zero-emission proton
exchange membrane fuel cells for use in transportation,
electricity generation and portable power 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(R) fuel cell
that combines hydrogen (which can be obtained from methanol,
natural gas, petroleum or renewable sources) 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
Ballard fuel cells. Ballard has also supplied fuel cells to Honda,
Nissan, Volkswagen, Yamaha, Cinergy, Coleman Powermate and
Matsushita Electric Works, among others.
Ballard's Common shares are listed on The Toronto Stock Exchange
under the trading symbol "BLD" and on the Nasdaq National Market
System under the symbol "BLDP". Ballard and the Ballard logo are
registered trademarks of Ballard Power Systems Inc. |
