Attention News Editors

VANCOUVER, April 2 /CNW/ - Ballard Power Systems (TSX: BLD; NASDAQ: BLDP)

today announced that Bruce Cousins has been appointed Vice President and Chief

Financial Officer of Ballard, effective April 6, 2009.

"We are very pleased to have Bruce join us as Chief Financial Officer,"

said John Sheridan, President and CEO of Ballard. "Bruce brings a great deal

of experience to the table, and has proven history moving a company from early

stage development through to a highly profitable business. With Bruce's

financial depth, both with a global operations company and with specialized

technology companies, he has the ideal background to be Ballard's Chief

Financial Officer."

"I am looking forward to joining Ballard at this very important time,

when the company is so focused on achieving profitability," said Mr. Cousins.

"The prospects for Ballard are very exciting, and I am especially pleased to

join the company that is so well known for starting the fuel cell industry,

and is now the producer of world leading commercial fuel cell products."

Bruce Cousins previously served as CFO for Xantrex Technology Inc. and

prior to Xantrex, was Executive Vice President and CFO for Aspreva

Pharmaceuticals Corporation. During his tenure at Xantrex and Aspreva, Bruce

was responsible for all aspects of the finance and administration function,

along with leading initial public offerings and major dispositions and

financings. Prior to joining Aspreva, Bruce spent 13 years at Johnson &

Johnson Corporation in various senior positions. Bruce began his career with

Deloitte & Touche LLP and is a Chartered Accountant.

About Ballard Power Systems

Ballard Power Systems (TSX: BLD; NASDAQ: BLDP) is recognized as a world

leader in the design, development, manufacture and sale of clean energy fuel

cell products. Ballard's mission is to accelerate fuel cell product adoption.

To learn more about what Ballard is doing with Power to Change the World(R),

visit

.

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Ballard, the Ballard logo and Power to Change the World are registered

trademarks of Ballard Power Systems Inc.

>>

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/For further information: or to arrange an interview with a Ballard

spokesperson, please contact Amy Harada Bradley at telephone number (604)

412-7913 or on e-mail

/

Ballard Appoints New Chief Financial Officer