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"Road Map" To Auto Hydrogen Fuel By 2010

Commercially viable fuel cell stack technology for hydrogen-powered vehicles can be demonstrated by 2010, according to a Technology “Road Map” released by Ballard Power Systems. The “Road Map,” announced to coincide with the start of the National Hydrogen Association’s Annual Hydrogen Conference in Washington, D.C., comprises four technology trendlines and targets for fuel cell stack durability, cost, freeze start and volumetric power density. It is widely agreed that demonstrating the ability to meet the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) targets for these four performance attributes is key to the successfully commercialization of automotive fuel cell technology.

“Ever since Ballard stack technology was first introduced into a customer vehicle demonstration in 1993, timing of commercial fuel cell deployment has been the number one question for consumers, investors and policymakers. With the release of our Technology ‘Road Map,’ we’re making a public commitment that Ballard will demonstrate the commercial viability of automotive fuel cell stack technology by 2010,” said Dennis Campbell, Ballard’s President and Chief Executive Officer.

Ballard’s Technology “Road Map” is closely aligned with the performance targets and timeline set by the DOE in its Hydrogen, Fuel Cells and Infrastructure Technologies Program’s Multi-Year Research, Development and Demonstration Plan.

The “Road Map” will serve as a yardstick for measuring Ballard’s progress over the next five years as it advances toward delivering a demonstration in 2010 of commercially viable automotive fuel cell stack technology with the following characteristics:

• 5,000 hours of lifetime;
• freeze start capability to -30?C;
• volumetric power density of 2,500 watts net/liter; and
• fuel cell stack cost of $30/kW

“Our targets are aggressive, but achievable. By laying out our detailed five year technology plans, Ballard is again demonstrating its commitment to setting the standard and leading the way to proton exchange membrane fuel cell commercialization,” said Mr. Campbell. “With our technology ‘road map,’ we’ve set the course, a course to the post-oil hydrogen future.”

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