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Intangible assets - Acquired (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items]      
Intangible assets $ 8,285 $ 17,950 $ 18,083
Internally generated fuel cell intangible assets | Internally generated      
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items]      
Intangible assets 1,199 1,690  
ERP management reporting software system | Internally generated      
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items]      
Intangible assets 4,825 5,738  
Intellectual property acquired from UTC      
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items]      
Intangible assets 1,417 1,864  
Intellectual property acquired from H2 Logic A/S      
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items]      
Intangible assets 43 129  
Intellectual property acquired from Protonex      
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items]      
Intangible assets 787 8,507  
Intellectual property acquired by Ballard Power Systems Europe | Patents, know-how and in-process research & development      
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items]      
Intangible assets $ 14 $ 22