New Flyer has ordered Hexagon Composites’ high-pressure hydrogen tanks, which will be used on 25 of the transit bus maker’s Xcelsior hydrogen fuel cell buses.
The new hydrogen tanks, which rely upon Hexagon’s internally developed technology, will be used to store compressed zero-emission hydrogen gas. The high-pressure tanks have completed requirements for North American and European standards, notes Hexagon Composites, which is based out of Norway.
This Hexagon product joins a global product line of long-length hydrogen tanks for the medium- and heavy-duty fuel cell vehicle market. The products store hydrogen at 350 bar and 700 bar to feed the fuel cell that provides electrical power to the drivetrain and accessories, explains Hexagon.
“New Flyer and Hexagon have been breaking new ground in alternative fuel use since 1993,” states Rick Rashilla, senior vice president of hydrogen automotive for Hexagon Composites Group. “Pressure containment technology is the foundation of our company. We are pleased to combine the attributes of our current hydrogen tanks with the successful reliability of the compressed natural gas tanks used by New Flyer today.”
“New Flyer is a zero-emission pioneer with over 50 years’ experience manufacturing electric transit buses,” adds Rod Neustaedter, vice president of supply management at New Flyer. “The adoption of fuel cell technology is a natural progression for us, and fuel cell-electric buses are an essential technology for driving the future of public transit in North America. As communities increasingly adopt zero-emission, sustainable transportation, New Flyer will proudly support healthier cities with fuel cell-electric transit buses with hydrogen from Hexagon.”
The high-pressure hydrogen cylinders have been delivered to New Flyer. The Xcelsior transit buses, which will operate in California, are currently being manufactured at New Flyer’s facility in Anniston, Ala.
