Innovative Hydrogen-Powered Bus Project Aims to Revolutionize Transportation
Key Ideas
- The Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE) is collaborating with Nimbus Power Systems, New Flyer, and AC Transit on a battery-free hydrogen fuel cell bus project.
- The project aims to demonstrate load-following capabilities similar to a diesel powertrain by using fuel cell technology patented by Nimbus, potentially eliminating the need for a large battery system.
- By reducing the bus's propulsion system weight and volume by over 50% and cutting costs by 45%, the initiative could pave the way for widespread adoption of fuel cell buses nationwide, addressing key challenges of cost, durability, and performance.
- CTE's Executive Director, Dan Raudebaugh, views this proof-of-concept as a significant step forward in reducing transportation emissions and promoting the commercial potential of the new powertrain.
A new US hydrogen-powered bus project led by the Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE) in collaboration with Nimbus Power Systems, New Flyer, and AC Transit aims to revolutionize transportation. This innovative battery-free hydrogen fuel cell bus proof-of-concept project, supported by the FTA's Transit Vehicle Innovation Deployment Centers (TVIDC) program, seeks to reduce the weight and volume of the propulsion system by over 50% by utilizing fuel cell technology patented by Nimbus. The project aims to demonstrate load-following capabilities akin to a diesel powertrain, potentially eliminating the need for a large battery system. This initiative addresses the limitations of traditional fuel cells that struggle to meet varying power demands, especially during high-load situations, which are typically supplemented by batteries. By leveraging the expertise of Nimbus and New Flyer, CTE aims to cut costs by 45% and pave the way for widespread adoption of fuel cell buses across the nation. The project's success could significantly contribute to reducing transportation emissions and advancing the commercial potential of this innovative powertrain, as noted by CTE's Executive Director, Dan Raudebaugh, who sees it as a major step forward in the industry's evolution towards more sustainable transportation solutions.