New Flyer’s 40- and 60-foot Xcelsior fuel cell electric buses (FCEBs), powered by Ballard Power Systems’ FCveloCity-HD 85 kW modules, have completed testing at The Altoona Bus Research and Testing Center under a program established by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
With this accomplishment, these models are now commercially available for sale using FTA funding. Testing at the Altoona, Pa., facility included evaluations of safety, structural integrity and durability, reliability, performance, maintainability, noise, fuel economy, and braking.
Both models will also be eligible for California’s Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP). HVIP is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program using cap-and-trade dollars. The current $300,000 voucher incentive covers 40-foot transit buses and Class 8 trucks powered exclusively by hydrogen fuel cells. Both funding opportunities enable transit agencies to support a transition to zero-emission operations, as mandated recently by the California Air Resources Board.
New Flyer says its Xcelsior FCEBs offer a range in excess of 260 miles, rapid refueling with hydrogen in under 10 minutes, 95% material recycling and full route flexibility.
“New Flyer, along with many major automotive manufacturers, strongly believes that hydrogen and fuel cell technology remains a viable complementary electric propulsion option for clean cities with extended-range operations,” states Chris Stoddart, president of New Flyer. “We celebrate this important milestone in deploying zero-emission bus propulsion technology on a proven, safe and reliable bus platform.”
