CPKC orders more Ballard fuel cell engines for hydrogen locomotive program

Canadian Pacific Kansas City has placed an order with Ballard Power Systems for 20 fuel cell engines for the North American freight-rail market.

Ballard recently signed a new long-term supply agreement with CPKC, including the initial supply of 98 fuel cell engines, according to a Ballard press release.

Each engine has a nameplate of 200 kilowatts, totaling 20 megawatts of fuel cell power. All 98 engines are expected to be delivered in 2025.

The new agreement builds on an existing partnership between Ballard and CPKC, which started in 2021, and has included delivery of 10 MW of fuel cell engines to date. Ballard fuel cell engines have been integrated into CPKC hydrogen-powered locomotives for regular switching and freight service applications in Alberta, Canada. 

The fuel cell engines will support the expansion of CPKC's hydrogen locomotive program, Ballard officials said.