Ballard Motive Solutions

Ballard Motive Solutions, formerly known as Arcola Energy, operates as a key UK-based subsidiary of the Canadian firm Ballard Power Systems, a specialist in proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell technology. The company was originally founded as Arcola Energy in 2010 by Dr. Ben Todd. Dr. Todd, who holds an MEng and a PhD in Engineering from the University of Cambridge with a research focus on Solid Oxide Fuel Cells, established the company to address the gap between clean energy technologies and the needs of end-users.

In November 2021, Arcola Energy was acquired by Ballard Power Systems for a total consideration of up to $40 million in cash and shares. This strategic acquisition integrated Arcola's decade of experience in powertrain and vehicle systems integration with Ballard's established fuel cell technology. Following the acquisition, the company was rebranded to Ballard Motive Solutions, with Dr. Todd continuing in his role as CEO.

The core business of Ballard Motive Solutions is providing complete powertrain systems for fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). This offering aims to reduce development time and complexity for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), ultimately lowering the cost and time-to-market for zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles. The company serves a client base that includes local authorities, fleet operators, and vehicle OEMs, assisting them in meeting their zero-emission goals. Its market focus lies in heavy-duty motive applications such as buses, commercial trucks, trains, and marine vessels. The business model centers on the design, engineering, and integration of fuel cell systems into various vehicle platforms. This includes providing powertrain integration, vehicle integration, and application engineering support to its customers.

A key product is the A-Drive, a driveline system for commercial vehicles that utilizes Ballard's fuel cells. The company provides comprehensive solutions that combine Ballard's fuel cell modules with other necessary components, like batteries and hydrogen storage tanks, into an optimized powertrain. This integrated approach simplifies the adoption process for vehicle manufacturers. For instance, the company has developed a solution for Refuse Collection Vehicles by integrating a Ballard fuel cell with Forsee Power's high-power battery systems, a collaboration designed to offer enhanced performance and optimized costs.

Keywords: hydrogen fuel cell, powertrain systems, vehicle systems integration, heavy-duty mobility, zero-emission vehicles, FCEV, PEM fuel cells, commercial trucks, bus electrification, marine power solutions, rail transport, Arcola Energy, Ben Todd, Ballard Power Systems, clean energy technology, powertrain engineering, refuse collection vehicles, systems engineering, hydrogen power, fuel cell integration