Calif. Energy Commission approves New Flyer fuel-cell demo project
The purpose of the program is to encourage demonstration of advanced technologies and help develop commercial vehicles that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, displace petroleum fuel demand, stimulate economic development and enhance market acceptance that will lead to commercial production.
New Flyer of America Inc., a subsidiary of New Flyer Industries Inc., announced that the California Energy Commission (CEC) approved a $2.1 million grant to conduct an advanced demonstration project involving a New Flyer Xcelsior® electric transit bus with a Hydrogenics CelerityPlus fuel cell. A notice of the proposed award was initially announced in April 2015.
The purpose of the CEC-approved Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program (ARFVTP) is to encourage demonstration of advanced technologies and help develop commercial vehicles that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, displace petroleum fuel demand, stimulate economic development and enhance market acceptance that will lead to commercial production.
Similar to the commercially available zero-emission New Flyer Xcelsior battery-electric buses, the hydrogen fuel-cell demonstration bus will use a Siemens ELFA® electric drive motor for propulsion. However, instead of storing electricity delivered from the power grid in battery packs on the bus, fuel cells use hydrogen gas and air to produce electricity directly on-board the bus. With water vapor as the only by-product and with no tail pipe emissions, a New Flyer Xcelsior fuel-cell bus can reduce an estimated 115 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.
With the fuel cell on board, the bus has the ability to yield operating ranges longer than pure battery-electric buses, plus hydrogen fuel tanks on the bus can be refilled in less time than recharging batteries from plug-in electric chargers.
The company partners with manufacturers such as Kiel Seating, Camira Fabric, and TSI Video, focusing on areas that directly impact both passenger experience and operational performance.
Now in its latest edition, the awards recognize forward-thinking solutions that improve safety, operational efficiency, sustainability, rider experience, and overall system performance.
Advances in data and analytics are giving transit agencies new opportunities to refine maintenance practices, improve efficiency and make more informed decisions about asset performance.
In Part 2 of a two-part conversation, AC Transit’s director of maintenance joins co-hosts Alex Roman and Mark Hollenbeck to discuss his maintenance team’s work with various types of vehicle, training, augmented reality, and more.
In this Consultant Roundtable, Carmen C. Cham shares insights on how agencies can create spaces that are intuitive, connected and built for long-term impact.
The Siemens CBTC System, Trainguard MT, in compliance with New York Subway Interoperability Interface Specifications, enables trains to run as close as 90 seconds apart, using next-generation signaling and continuous communication to keep operations moving seamlessly.
Through the strategic partnership, MOIA America will provide MOIA’s turnkey autonomous mobility solution. This includes purpose-built, autonomous-ready ID. Buzz vehicles equipped with the self-driving system developed by Mobileye, as well as operator training and enablement.
Officials said the project delivers a fully integrated passenger environment featuring improved solar-powered LED lighting, real-time arrival information, and a precision-engineered shelter designed to withstand the Texas climate.
Two battery-electric buses entered service on Earth Day, with four additional vehicles expected to join the fleet this summer. Seven more buses are planned for the end of 2027, bringing Metro’s total zero-emission fleet to 13.
