New Flyer has unveiled a major range-boosting innovation for its Xcelsior CHARGE FC™ fuel cell electric bus, which is powered by Ballard. The new optional four-hydrogen-tank module significantly extends vehicle and operational flexibility, incorporating an additional 17.5kg of onboard fuel capacity.
This augmented system has already been integrated into Humboldt Transit Authority’s (HTA) hydrogen-powered vehicle in California, where the zero-emission technology is proving successful on challenging, steep, real-world duty cycles.
As the first agency to deploy the extended range option in its fleet, HTA has enjoyed performance that has exceeded expectations in both range and reliability.
Providing an optimal solution for transit agencies operating in rural areas that face adverse terrain, conditions, and longer routes, the advanced Xcelsior CHARGE FC™ utilizes the bus’s remaining roof space for additional transverse-mounted hydrogen tanks to bolster fuel capacity by 50%, which supports an overall operational driving range of up to 640 miles (1030km) – an improvement of 120 miles (195km) on the original model. (....)