6-K

FORM 6-K

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Report of Foreign Private Issuer

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the month of May, 2003

Commission File Number 0-25270

BALLARD POWER SYSTEMS INC.

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

4343 North Fraser Way,

Burnaby, BC

V5J 5J9

(Address of principal executive offices)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F o  Form 40-F ý

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): o

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): o

Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Yes o  No ý

If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-

Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

	(Registrant)
Date:  May 6, 2003	/s/ Noordin S.K. Nanji
	Noordin S.K. Nanji
	Vice President, Corporate Strategy & Development and
	Corporate Secretary

2

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit	Description of Exhibit
99.1	Ballard Power Systems Inc. Press Release Announcing Ballard’s Completion of the Purchase of FirstEnergy’s Interest in Ballard Generation Systems.

3

EX-99.1

EXHIBIT 99.1

For Immediate Release – May 5, 2003

Vancouver, Canada - Ballard Power Systems(TSX: BLD; NASDAQ: BLDP) has completed the acquisition of the interest of FirstEnergy Corp. in Ballard’s stationary power subsidiary, Ballard Generation Systems Inc. (“BGS”), through the issuance of 1,366,063 of Ballard’s common shares in a transaction valued at US $29.7-million. As previously announced, BGS has also appointed FirstEnergy Corp. as a non-exclusive distributor of Ballard stationary fuel cell power generators in the Northeast and North Central United States.

BGS was formed in 1996 to commercialize proton exchange membrane fuel cell stationary power generators that use Ballard^® fuel cells and is a 100 percent wholly owned subsidiary of Ballard Power Systems.

This release contains forward-looking statements that are based on the beliefs of Ballard’s management and reflect Ballard’s current expectations as contemplated under section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  When used in this release, the words “estimate”, “project”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “expect”, “plan”, “predict”, “may”, “should”, “will”, the negative of these words or such other variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current views of Ballard with respect to future events based on currently available information and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in those forward-looking statements.

Ballard Power Systems is recognized as the world leader in developing, manufacturing and marketing zero-emission proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. Ballard is commercializing fuel cell engines for transportation applications and fuel cell systems for portable and stationary products. Ballard is also commercializing electric drives for fuel cell and other electric vehicles, power conversion products, alternative fuel generator sets and is a Tier 1 automotive supplier of friction materials for power train components. Ballard’s proprietary technology is enabling automobile, bus, electrical equipment, portable power and stationary product manufacturers to develop environmentally clean products for sale. Ballard is partnering with strong, world-leading companies, including DaimlerChrysler, Ford, EBARA, ALSTOM and FirstEnergy, to commercialize Ballard^® fuel cells. Ballard has supplied fuel cells to Honda, Nissan, Volkswagen, Yamaha, Cinergy and Coleman Powermate, among others.

Ballard, the Ballard logo and Power to Change the World are registered trademarks of Ballard Power Systems Inc.

For investor information,	For media information,	For product information,	Ballard Power Systems Inc.
please contact:	please contact:	please contact:	4343 North Fraser Way
Michael Rosenberg	Debby Harris	Marketing Department	Burnaby, British Columbia
t) 604.412.3195	t) 604.412.4740	t) 604.453.3520	Canada V5J 5J9
f) 604.412.3100	f) 604.412.3100	f) 604.412.3100	t) 604.454.0900
investors@ballard.com	media@ballard.com	marketing@ballard.com	f) 604.412.4700
			www.ballard.com