ENC showcases new Axess fuel-cell bus

ElDorado National-California (ENC), a subsidiary of REV Group, held an open house to present its zero-emission Axess FC, a fuel-cell electric bus and the first 12-year/500,000-mile Altoona-tested fuel-cell bus.

The latest Axess FC, a hydrogen fuel-cell bus, which is otherwise known as “Battery Dominant Fuel Cell Bus,” offers an innovative alternative-fuel solution relying on compressed hydrogen to power. Electric fuel cells produce electricity, and that energy is stored in Hydrogen tanks. The resulting energy storage is twice that of a battery-electric bus. It has increased range, extending beyond 300 miles, and a faster fueling time, which means no major disruption to the bus facility.

Each zero-emission bus, over a 12-year period, can eliminate 1,690 tons of carbon dioxide, 10 tons of nitrogen oxide, and 350 pounds of diesel particulate matter.

ENC is already partnering with SunLine Transit Agency in Palm Desert, Calif.; SARTA in Stark County, Ohio; OCTA and UC in Irvine, Calif.; as well as an FTA Demonstration Project in Flint, Mich. and Boston’s MBTA at Harvard University.

ElDorado National-California has been working with fuel-cell technology for over 10 years and delivered its first fuel-cell bus back in 2014.