Ballard Power Systems has announced that Solaris Bus & Coach sp. z o.o. (Solaris), a European bus manufacturer and long standing Ballard partner, has formally selected Ballard as the fuel cell supplier for its next generation hydrogen bus.
This selection includes the integration of Ballard's FCmove® SC hydrogen fuel cell engine, Ballard's newest high efficiency platform launched in late 2025, into the Solaris Generation 2 FCEV bus. The sale of engines has been incorporated into an update of the existing LTSA, extending it to 2029, to match with next-gen bus delivery while also strategically aligning commercial terms.
The FCmove® SC engine delivers higher efficiency, extended durability, and a simplified system architecture designed to reduce total cost of ownership (TCO) for transit operators. These improvements are particularly impactful for long range, high utilisation duty cycles where hydrogen fuel cell buses offer operational advantages over battery electric alternatives.
"Solaris' selection of Ballard for its next generation hydrogen bus platform marks a significant milestone for the continued evolution of our FCmove® SC engine," said Marty Neese, Ballard's CEO and President. "Our long standing collaboration with Solaris has been built on trust, technical excellence, and a shared commitment to zero emission mobility. With this selection, supported by newly adjusted commercial terms that strengthen long term alignment, Solaris reinforces its confidence in Ballard's ability to deliver performance, reliability, and lifecycle value at scale. The FCmove® SC is purpose built for Europe's mature bus market, and OEM nominations like this validate the strength of our value proposition."
Today, Ballard powered fleets have grown to more than 2200 fuel cell buses worldwide, collectively logging over 300 million km with 98% availability and zero reported safety incidents. Through Ballard Fleet Services, including training, technical support, parts supply, operational monitoring, digital insights, and ongoing stack servicing, Ballard and its customers unlock additional value that strengthens fleet performance and supports long term operational success.