Transit bus and motor coach manufacturer New Flyer announced that it will supply 20 fuel cell electric 40-foot Xcelsior XHE40 transit buses to transit agencies in California.
New Flyer is a partner of the Fuel Cell Electric Bus Commercialization Consortium to deploy 20 fuel cell electric buses – 10 with Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) and 10 with the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA).
The project is funded by the California Air Resources Board’s Low Carbon Transportation and Air Quality Improvement Program. Program support also includes sponsorship from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and South Coast Air Quality Management District. The Center for Transportation and Environment (CTE), a nonprofit member-based organization, is providing project management and oversight.
New Flyer is the only North American transit bus manufacturer offering all three types of zero-emission propulsion systems including: hydrogen fuel cell electric, battery-electric and trolley-electric buses.
The New Flyer Xcelsior electric buses for this program will utilize fuel cells from Ballard Power Systems. The fuel cell replaces an internal combustion engine by generating electricity to power an electric drive motors. Fuel cell electric buses have operating ranges over 300 miles with zero tailpipe emissions and re-filling hydrogen can be accomplished in only a few minutes, without the need for overnight plug-in battery recharging.
After delivery of the fleet in 2018, New Flyer’s California-based Ontario, California Service Center and Fresno Parts Center teams will support the operation of the fuel cell electric buses into every day transit service.
This Fuel Cell Electric Bus Commercialization Consortium project is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of cap-and-trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy and improving public health and the environment — particularly in disadvantaged communities. The cap-and-trade program also creates a financial incentive for industries to invest in clean technologies and develop innovative ways to reduce pollution. California Climate Investments projects include affordable housing, renewable energy, public transportation, zero-emission vehicles, environmental restoration, more sustainable agriculture, recycling and much more. At least 35 percent of these investments are made in disadvantaged and low-income communities.
