Calif.'s SunLine receives grant for more fuel-cell buses

Thousand Palms, Calif.-based SunLine Transit Agency received funding through the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) Transit Investments for Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reduction (TIGGER) Program. Ballard Power Systems will provide fuel-cell modules to power two new fuel cell hybrid buses, and will work together with consortium partners BAE Systems and ElDorado National to deliver the buses to SunLine.

The TIGGER program works directly with public transportation agencies to implement new strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and lowering energy use within transit operations. Through this program, the FTA is playing a key role in accelerating fuel cell bus deployments, providing greater public exposure to the safe operation of zero-emission vehicles and encouraging broader acceptance of the technology. The additional funding announced by the FTA to grow SunLine's fuel-cell bus fleet is further validation of our Buy America-compliant technology.

Under this new award, Ballard will supply FCvelocityTM-HD6 power modules for ElDorado fuel-cell hybrid buses featuring a series hybrid-electric drive from lead integrator BAE Systems. It is anticipated that these buses will be operational in 2013, bringing the total number of Ballard-powered buses in use at SunLine Transit to four.

Ballard's fuel cell module is a 'plug-and-play' product that permits system integrators to readily build clean energy buses at reduced cost. The fuel cell module incorporates sub-system components for humidification, hydrogen pressure regulation, hydrogen recirculation, water management, ventilation and controls.