Ballard, Audi Sign Fuel Cell Technology Extension

 Ballard Power Systems, Vancouver, B.C.,  said it has signed a 3.5-year extension to its current Technology Solutions contract with Audi AG, part of the Volkswagen Group, extending the HyMotion program to August 2022. The aggregate value of the contract extension is expected to be US$62 to $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. Ballard is focused on the design and manufacture of next-generation fuel cell stacks for use in Audi’s demonstration program. Ballard engineers are leading certain areas of fuel cell product design – including the membrane electrode assembly (MEA), plate and stack components – along with certain testing and integration work.

Dr. Peter Mertens, board member for technical development at Audi AG 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.” 

Ballard signed an initial four 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.