Ballard Power Systems received an order from SunLine Transit Agency for five fuel-cell engines to power clean energy buses in Palm Desert, California. The 150-kilowatt FCveloCity engines are expected to be shipped in 2017.

Ballard is partnering with bus manufacturer, ElDorado National and system integrator and supplier of electric-drive systems, BAE Systems to deliver buses to SunLine. 

The agency received funding from the FTA to purchase and deploy five hydrogen electric fuel cell buses. This will double SunLine’s current fleet of fuel-cell buses and allow it to offer expanded transit service in the Coachella Valley area of Southern California.

The buses will use the previously deployed American Fuel Cell Bus (AFCB) configuration, first introduced with SunLine in 2011. The AFCB configuration utilizes Ballard’s heavy duty fuel cell engine to provide primary power, in combination with BAE Systems’ electric propulsion and power management systems deployed in an ENC 40-foot (12-meter) Axess model transit bus. There are currently 13 AFCBs deployed with various transit agencies across North America, with another 10 on order including these 5 for SunLine.

Funding was provided by the FTA under the Low or No Emission (LoNo) Vehicle Program designed to support deployment of clean, energy-efficient buses in transit fleets. The program provides funding to transit agencies for capital acquisitions and leases of zero-emission and low-emission transit buses, including acquisition, construction and leasing of required infrastructure such as refueling and maintenance facilities.