(Photo on Piero Fissore on Flickr)
The U.S. Federal Transit Administration (FTA) published a report last week entitled, “A Report on Worldwide Hydrogen Bus Demonstrations” that could help push hydrogen vehicles to the next level. The report gathered information and opinions from drivers, mechanics, transit officials and others who have taken part in hydrogen bus programs around the world. The FTA report covers demonstration projects from 2002 to 2007 in the United States, Asia and the European Union, offering a broad look at the successes and failures of hydrogen buses.
Hydrogen vehicle advocates can find plenty to celebrate in the FTA report. The study’s participants reported no significant safety issues with CNG, hydrogen and fuel cell buses, eliminating concerns about buses running on hydrogen. Drivers and mechanics noted that demonstration buses handled well in adverse conditions including precipitation, hilly terrain and extreme temperatures. According to FTA interviews, about 75% of participants cited quieter rides on hydrogen buses compared to diesel and 63% said they experienced smoother rides. A look beneath these figures shows that most participants favor fuel cells to hydrogen when it comes to acceleration and power.
While the FTA report is heavy on kudos for hydrogen buses, familiar criticisms of fuel-cell vehicles are prevalent within its pages. The average diesel-powered city bus can travel between 186 and 217 miles per tank before refueling. Study participants said that fuel-cell buses required refueling between 93 and 124 miles, requiring more fuel stops per day than conventional buses. The FTA also found that hydrogen buses took longer to refuel (10 to 30 minutes) than diesel (up to 10 minutes) and CNG (4 to 7 minutes) buses. The major technical issue with demonstration buses was the rapid reduction in power storage due to inferior components in the drivetrain.
In order to enhance the pros and resolve the cons in the FTA report, we should follow the suggestions of those participants at the ground level. “A Report on Worldwide Hydrogen Bus Demonstrations” is filled with ideas from participants who are familiar enough with public transit to be considered experts. These suggestions range from federal funding to convert hydrogen bus demos into long-term programs to carbon taxes that would fund hydrogen bus maintenance. If we can get enough funding to create superior components and create longer-lasting fuel cells, exhaust-spewing buses may become a thing of the past sooner rather than later.
