AC Transit procures fuel cells

The largest-ever procurement in the U. S. of fuel-cell power systems for public transport buses was announced at the American Public Transportation Association's (APTA) Bus & Paratransit Conference in Austin, Texas.

Oakland, Calif.-based AC Transit has agreed to purchase a minimum of eight 120 kW PureMotion Model 120 fuel-cell systems from South Windsor, Conn.-based UTC Power, with options for an additional 13 units, to power their Next Generation hybrid-electric, fuel-cell buses, scheduled for delivery in 2009 and 2010.  

The new fuel cells come with a warranty period that can be enhanced to up to 10,000 hours of operation based on the fuel cells achieving certain defined performance milestones.