Two new SunLine buses powered by a Ballard FCvelocity®-HD6 fuel cell system were delivered recently in the Thousand Palms / Palm Springs area of California.
According to Ballard, “These new buses evolve the previously deployed American Fuel Cell Bus (AFCB) configuration, which was first introduced with SunLine Transit Agency in 2011. The AFCB configuration utilizes Ballard’s FCvelocity®-HD6 fuel cell module to provide primary power, in combination with BAE Systems’ HybriDrive® propulsion and power management systems deployed in an ElDorado National 40-foot (12-meter) Axess model, heavy duty transit bus …
“…These two additional buses will bring the total number of Ballard powered fuel cell buses at SunLine Transit Agency to four. In 2013 Ballard signed extended service agreements with SunLine Transit Agency that will support bus operation for up to ten years, demonstrating SunLine’s continued commitment to the operation of these buses …
“…Ballard’s 150 kilowatt power module features a control unit which interfaces with a system controller, making it a ‘plug-and-play’ product for any fuel cell or hybrid fuel cell bus platform. The module also offers significant advances in durability, power density and fuel efficiency compared to earlier generation products.”
And about 92 miles away in the Orange County area of California, Ballard will also have its fuel cell system inside a new hydrogen hybrid bus at University of California, Irvine. A delivery date sometime in 2015 is expected.
Sources
http://www.ballard.com/about-ballard/newsroom/news-releases/news06091401.aspx