Ballard Unveils FCmove®-SC Fuel Cell to Drive Public Transit Efficiency and Reduce Operating Costs
At the upcoming Busworld event in Brussels from October 4 to 9, 2025, Ballard Power Systems (NASDAQ: BLDP, TSX: BLDP) will showcase its latest innovation, the FCmove®-SC fuel cell. This next-generation fuel cell module is designed specifically for urban public transport and aims to significantly enhance vehicle integration while reducing operational costs. The FCmove®-SC represents a crucial step in Ballard's ongoing initiative to achieve parity with diesel in terms of performance and lifecycle costs.
According to Kevin Colbow, Ballard's Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, the FCmove®-SC is part of a broader product platform intended to address one of the industry's most pressing challenges: closing the ownership cost gap compared to traditional diesel systems. The fuel cell's design streamlines integration for bus manufacturers and improves operational costs for public transport operators.
The FCmove®-SC offers a range of advancements for bus manufacturers and operators:
These enhancements are aimed at achieving a peak power capacity of at least 75 kW, optimized for sustained operational efficiency and higher thermal margins, which contribute to lower cooling requirements. This means more usable waste heat for cabin heating, ultimately reducing operational costs and making the total cost of ownership competitive with traditional diesel systems. Designed for a lifespan of approximately 25,000 hours under normal public transport duty cycles, the FCmove®-SC promises to be a reliable choice for operators.
By internalizing the DC/DC converter and power controller, the FCmove®-SC consolidates its functions into a compact and maintainable unit. This reduction in external interfaces and moving parts simplifies the integration of the powertrain while decreasing diagnostic and preventive maintenance requirements.
Ballard is also modernizing fleet services by pairing the FCmove®-SC with predictive maintenance and analytics. The integrated communication system and the FCServiceCloud Customer Insight portal enable preventive and predictive maintenance workflows, helping operators to maximize uptime and lower lifecycle support costs.
Safety remains a priority with the FCmove®-SC's architecture, featuring state-of-the-art safety characteristics. The PEM fuel cell casing now includes a new internal geometry designed to mitigate hydrogen-related risks, minimizing reliance on conventional passive safety devices, such as sensors and software controls.
This new fuel cell builds upon Ballard's extensive field experience, having deployed over 850 vehicles across municipalities in Europe. The FCmove®-HD module has been successfully produced, scaled, and operated for nearly 100 million kilometers, establishing a robust operational base that has informed the FCmove®-SC's design and subsystem architecture, ultimately lowering total ownership costs for public transit operators.
As David Mucciacciaro, Ballard’s Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer notes, the goal is to make practical and measurable strides toward bringing fuel cell buses to a position comparable to that of diesel. Leveraging years of operational experience and insights from long-standing clients, Ballard is committed to providing solutions that streamline vehicle integration, cut operating and maintenance costs, and ensure fleets remain reliable and operational.
Ballard will exhibit the FCmove®-SC alongside other public transport solutions in Hall 9, Stand 579 at the Busworld event in Brussels, with demonstrations available by invitation for interested public transit operators and equipment suppliers. For further information about the latest innovations in fuel cell technology and Ballard’s vision for a sustainable energy future, visit www.ballard.com.
According to Kevin Colbow, Ballard's Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, the FCmove®-SC is part of a broader product platform intended to address one of the industry's most pressing challenges: closing the ownership cost gap compared to traditional diesel systems. The fuel cell's design streamlines integration for bus manufacturers and improves operational costs for public transport operators.
Key Improvements for Improved Performance
The FCmove®-SC offers a range of advancements for bus manufacturers and operators:
- - 30% Increase in System Power: Enhanced durability, cold start temperatures, and a higher power density, ensuring greater efficiency in service.
- - 25% Greater Volumetric Power Density: Thanks to the integrated DC/DC converter, the new design provides improved performance in a smaller footprint.
- - Higher Radiator Output Temperature: The module's maximum radiator output temperature now rises by 25%, simplifying the vehicle's thermal management.
- - Reduced Part Count: The total number of components has been cut by 40%, which streamlines manufacturing and maintenance processes.
These enhancements are aimed at achieving a peak power capacity of at least 75 kW, optimized for sustained operational efficiency and higher thermal margins, which contribute to lower cooling requirements. This means more usable waste heat for cabin heating, ultimately reducing operational costs and making the total cost of ownership competitive with traditional diesel systems. Designed for a lifespan of approximately 25,000 hours under normal public transport duty cycles, the FCmove®-SC promises to be a reliable choice for operators.
Simplified Integration
By internalizing the DC/DC converter and power controller, the FCmove®-SC consolidates its functions into a compact and maintainable unit. This reduction in external interfaces and moving parts simplifies the integration of the powertrain while decreasing diagnostic and preventive maintenance requirements.
Intelligent Services
Ballard is also modernizing fleet services by pairing the FCmove®-SC with predictive maintenance and analytics. The integrated communication system and the FCServiceCloud Customer Insight portal enable preventive and predictive maintenance workflows, helping operators to maximize uptime and lower lifecycle support costs.
Enhanced Safety Features
Safety remains a priority with the FCmove®-SC's architecture, featuring state-of-the-art safety characteristics. The PEM fuel cell casing now includes a new internal geometry designed to mitigate hydrogen-related risks, minimizing reliance on conventional passive safety devices, such as sensors and software controls.
Proven Field Performance
This new fuel cell builds upon Ballard's extensive field experience, having deployed over 850 vehicles across municipalities in Europe. The FCmove®-HD module has been successfully produced, scaled, and operated for nearly 100 million kilometers, establishing a robust operational base that has informed the FCmove®-SC's design and subsystem architecture, ultimately lowering total ownership costs for public transit operators.
As David Mucciacciaro, Ballard’s Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer notes, the goal is to make practical and measurable strides toward bringing fuel cell buses to a position comparable to that of diesel. Leveraging years of operational experience and insights from long-standing clients, Ballard is committed to providing solutions that streamline vehicle integration, cut operating and maintenance costs, and ensure fleets remain reliable and operational.
Ballard will exhibit the FCmove®-SC alongside other public transport solutions in Hall 9, Stand 579 at the Busworld event in Brussels, with demonstrations available by invitation for interested public transit operators and equipment suppliers. For further information about the latest innovations in fuel cell technology and Ballard’s vision for a sustainable energy future, visit www.ballard.com.
Topics Energy）
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