"Making fuel cells a commercial reality requires the support of a committed, creative and collaborative supply base," said Lee Craft, Ballard's Vice President of Operations. "Our fuel cell products are recognized around the world due, in part, to the ability of key suppliers to meet our demanding standards. We want to recognize this contribution publicly, and congratulate all those companies that achieved Preferred and Elite Supplier Status in 2006."

2006 Preferred Suppliers

Those being recognized for achieving Ballard Preferred Supplier Status in 2006 include:

- Advanced Energy Technology Inc., a division of GrafTech International Ltd. (Parma, Ohio)

- Ampco Manufacturers Inc. (Coquitlam, British Columbia)

- DuPont Fuel Cells (Wilmington, Delaware)

- W.L. Gore And Associates, Inc. (Elkton, Maryland)

- Innerstep (Scotts Valley, California)

- Innovative Tool and Die, Inc. (Delta, British Columbia)

2006 Elite Suppliers

Suppliers that demonstrated leadership in technology development collaboration or contributed a significant step toward the commercialization of our products are recognized as Elite Suppliers. Tanaka Kikinzoku Kogyo K.K. Inc. (Tokyo, Japan) earned Ballard Elite Supplier Status in 2006.

About the Program

Ballard's Preferred and Elite Supplier Program was launched at the beginning of 2006 to evaluate those suppliers deemed critical to Ballard's success in advancing the technology and commercialization of PEM fuel cells stacks. This initiative is aimed at both measuring and developing suppliers that meet or exceed required performance levels, with the target threshold set to ensure a 'best in class' supply chain. For more information about the program, visit www.ballard.com.

About Ballard Power Systems

Ballard Power Systems (TSX: BLD)(NASDAQ: BLDP) is recognized as a world leader in the design, development and manufacture of zero-emission proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Ballard's mission is to make fuel cells a commercial reality. To learn more about what Ballard is doing with Power to Change the World®, visit www.ballard.com.