Fuel Cell and Hybrid Transit Buses Marshall Miller Institute of Transportation Studies University of California, Davis

Marshall Miller, University of California, Davis 2 Fuel Cell Buses Only practical technology to achieve CARB 2007 transit bus emissions guidelines –Battery electric buses (range, recharging problems) –Hydrogen enriched natural gas, gasoline hybrid look promising but not yet demonstrated –Diesel not allowed in South Coast region Transit technology of future –Zero emissions (boarding hydrogen) –Domestic fuel production –Potentially lower greenhouse gas emissions

Marshall Miller, University of California, Davis 3 Fuel Cell Buses (cont.) Fuel cell manufacturers / Bus integrators must have steady funding for commercialization –Should continue over several phases –Potential problems with “large” early programs European CUTE program – 33 buses, difficult to maintain, losing money –Other manufacturers? Ballard, UTC

Marshall Miller, University of California, Davis 4 Fuel Cell Bus Concerns Cost (> $3 million/bus, hydrogen infrastructure) Warranties (fuel cell lifetimes) Typically two years UTC offering additional two years ($0.5 million) Availability Transit agencies with money can’t easily procure fuel cell buses –CUTE delays, AC Transit and UNDP difficulties

Marshall Miller, University of California, Davis 5 Hybrid Buses ISE gasoline hybrid program –Two buses in service (San Bernadino) –27 buses on order for delivery late 2004 (Long Beach) –Additional buses expected in South Coast region –Close to CARB 2007 emissions guidelines CNG hybrid –No programs demonstrated

Marshall Miller, University of California, Davis 6 Hybrid Buses: Benefits for fuel cell buses Fuel cell buses use electric drivelines and many will be hybrids (overlap with hybrid technology) Component development –Motors, power electronics, energy storage Hybrid Driveline design and integration –Complex systems Cost reductions

Marshall Miller, University of California, Davis 7 Hydrogen ICE Hybrids (Transition to fuel cells) Potential transition technology to fuel cells Low emissions –NO X requires after treatment Modest additional bus cost Hydrogen infrastructure paves way for fuel cells when technology is affordable and available