Bus Market

Demonstration Programs

Ballard’s participation in programs such as HyFLEET: CUTE, ECTOS and STEP has resulted in over 2 million kilometers of actual transit bus revenue service, during which we have transported over 6 million passengers. Ballard is currently developing our next generation heavy-duty fuel cell module in support of upcoming demonstration programs.

European Fuel Cell Bus Project (HyFLEET: CUTE)
European Fuel Cell Bus Project

Leading the way in the adoption of zero-emission fuel cell technology, the European Union initiated a project designed to demonstrate the viability of fuel cells. The Clean Urban Transit for Europe (CUTE) saw the development and testing of 27 Mercedes Benz Citaro buses, powered by Ballard fuel cells - three each within nine cities in Europe. With the success of the CUTE program, a follow-on project (HyFLEET: CUTE) was created in 2006, extending the operation of buses in specific cities by up to two years. A number of milestones and accomplishments have taken place during the HyFLEET:CUTE program, many centered on the lifetime and durability of fuel cells, and the fuel cell engine components, while others have allowed the fuel cell buses to be featured in high-profile events. 

An affiliated project, ECTOS (Ecological City Transport System) demonstrated three Ballard powered Mercedes Benz Citaro buses in the challenging climate of Reykjavik, Iceland.

Santa Clara Valley Transit Authority
Zero-Emission Bus Demonstration Program

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), in conjunction with the San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans), contracted with Gillig Corporation and Ballard to build three hydrogen-powered, zero-emission fuel-cell buses for use in regular transit service. These buses have been in operation since 2004, accumulating more than 9,500 kilometers and 3,800 hours of operation.

UNDP-GEF Beijing, China
This project was developed under the UNDP-GEF guideline of promoting sustainable transportation in developing countries.

A supply contract for three Citaro fuel cell buses was signed by the Ministry of Science and Technology (Beijing government) and Daimler AG using Ballard fuel cell technology in May 2004. The fuel cell buses began operation in revenue service in 2005 in Beijing and completed service in October 2007.

Sustainable Transport Energy for Perth (STEP)
Perth Fuel Cell Bus Trial

The Perth, Australia program, consisting of three buses, commenced in 2004 and was so successful that operations were extended in 2006 for an additional year. Each bus operated more than eight hours per day, five days per week providing regular transit service. Cumulatively, these buses traveled almost 200,000 kilometers and operated in excess of 8,500 hours. 

Brazil Fuel Cell Bus Project

Designed to stimulate the development and utilization of fuel cell buses in Brazil, the UNDP/GEF project identifies Ballard as the fuel cell supplier for up to five buses that will operate in San Paolo. Please read the press release (translated from its original in Portuguese) for more information. 

FTA National Fuel Cell Bus Technology Development Program
FTA Demonstration Program

In 2006, U.S. Federal Transit Administrator James Simpson announced a US$49 million Federal Transit Administration hydrogen fuel cell bus research and development program intended to explore ways to make commercially viable hydrogen fuel cell buses a reality. Ballard plans to participate in two FTA projects, utilizing our next generation heavy-duty fuel cell module (HD6), which leverages our latest automotive technology.

The first project, with New York Power Authority will feature Ballard's 150 kW version of the HD6 module in two 40 foot fuel cell hybrid buses that will operate in revenue service in Niagara Falls, NY.

In the second project, GE Research will integrate Ballard's 75 kW version of the HD6 module into a lightweight fuel cell hybrid bus using an advanced propulsion system and a lightweight bus platform. The bus will operate in revenue service in upstate New York.

BC Transit Fuel Cell Bus Fleet

BC Transit will deploy the world's largest fleet of 20 fuel cell buses and hydrogen infrastructure to be integrated into the regular operational service of an urban transit system.  This fleet operation will allow monitoring and evaluation of operations, maintenance and fueling over a sustained period.

The delivery is divided into two phases: phase one is for delivery of one bus for evaluation in 2008; phase two is for delivery of up to 10 buses in 2009. The buses are intended to be showcased in the Resort Municipality of Whistler during the 2010 Olympics and Paralympics Winter Games, and then be integrated into the BC Transit fleet. BC Transit is to purchase the buses, with assistance from the Province of British Columbia and the Government of Canada.

Ballard is part of a consortium working on the BC Transit fuel cell bus fleet, with ISE Corporation supplying advanced electric drive and battery technology, and New Flyer Industries Canada ULC integrating both Ballard fuel cell module and the ISE electric drive into a transit bus platform.