Purpose: Dual Variable Output Fuel Cell Bus Demonstration
Grant No.: GA-04-7002-01 ($1,200,000)
Released: April 11, 2008
The Center for Transportation and the Environment was awarded a $1,200,000 grant for the continued development and demonstration of an improved hybrid fuel cell bus.
The project was competitively awarded in fiscal year 2007 as part of the National Fuel Cell Bus Program, which was instituted to advance commercialization of fuel cell bus technology. The project involves the design and development of a new lightweight composite 35-foot bus using advanced battery technology that will improve safety and battery life, and dual variable output fuel cell "stacks," a potentially more durable and efficient configuration than the usual single fuel cell stack. Hybrid fuel cell buses produce no harmful emissions.
The bus is being developed by Mobile Energy Solutions of Golden, Colo. This grant funds the completion of the bus body and bus interior, initial vehicle testing, and the development of fueling infrastructure at the University of South Carolina, one of the planned test locations.
Demonstration of the vehicle is expected in fiscal year 2009. The estimated total project cost is $14 million, of which the federal share is 50 percent.
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