Ballard Delivers 250-kilowatt Stationary Fuel Cell Power Generator.

Business Editors

VANCOUVER, B.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 5, 2000

(NASDAQ:BLDP) (TSE:BLD.)

Ballard Power Systems announced today that its subsidiary Ballard Generation Systems has delivered its third 250-kilowatt stationary fuel cell power generator for field testing through its associated company ALSTOM BALLARD to Elektra Birseck, in Switzerland. This power generator, which uses Ballard(R) fuel cells, will be tested by Elektra Birseck, one of the largest suppliers of power in Switzerland, at their corporate headquarters in Basel.

"In working with Elektra Birseck we will collect further performance data and customer feedback, which are among the primary objectives of our field trial programs," said Jim Kirsch, President of Ballard Generation Systems. "Our field trial experience with a growing number of customers in different regions will assist us as we move towards commercialization."

ALSTOM BALLARD is a jointly held company of ALSTOM France S.A. and Ballard Generation Systems with a mandate to supply Ballard Generation Systems fuel cell power generators incorporating the Ballard(R) fuel cell to customers in Europe.

Ballard Generation Systems was formed to commercialize PEM fuel cell stationary power generators that use the Ballard(R) fuel cell. In addition to Ballard Power Systems, its shareholders include GPU International Inc. of New Jersey, ALSTOM France S.A., and Ebara Corporation of Japan.

Ballard Power Systems is recognized as the world leader in developing, manufacturing and marketing zero-emission proton exchange membrane (PEM) 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 or petroleum) 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.