Connecticut Transit to Receive First Commercially Procured Fuel Cell Bus
Connecticut Transit to Receive First Commercially Procured Fuel Cell Bus Hartford, CT
April 2013 - Atlanta based Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE) finalized a contract with Connecticut Transit (CTTRANSIT) to deliver a hydrogen fuel cell powered 40ft heavy---duty transit bus in partnership with ElDorado National, BAE Systems, and Ballard Power Systems. The fuel cell bus and extended operations support was procured under a standard RFP process utilizing transit industry defined specifications and terms that drive contractor accountability - a significant step towards commercialization for the fuel cell bus industry.
Typically fuel cell buses have been procured and built under various federally funded research programs, most notably the Federal Transit Administration's National Fuel Cell Bus Program (NFCBP). The fuel cell bus, based on the SunLine American Fuel Cell bus configuration, utilizes an ElDorado National heavy---duty urban transit bus glider with a Ballard FCvelocity®---HD6 fuel cell power module and BAE Systems' HybriDrive® propulsion system. BAE Systems will be responsible for systems integration. The bus has proven to be very reliable in its demonstration at SunLine. The CTE Team expects to deliver the CTTRANSIT bus in Fall 2014. CTE will provide project management and administration, in addition to compiling and delivering the necessary manuals, coordinating training and training material, and serving as CTTRANSIT's primary point of contact for technical support.
About CTE
The Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE) is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization based in Atlanta, Georgia that develops technologies and implements solutions to achieve energy and environment sustainability. Since its founding in 1993, CTE has managed a portfolio of more than $250 million in federal, state, and local cost---shared research, development, and demonstration projects involving more that 200 organizations in the advanced transportation technology field. CTE has facilitated and leveraged funding for its projects and initiatives from the U.S. Department of Defense, Energy, Interior, and Transportation, as well as from the U.S. Army and NASA, among many others.
About BAE Systems
BAE Systems is a leading producer of efficient, low---emission hybrid electric propulsion systems for transit buses. HybriDrive propulsion technology has been in daily revenue service on buses in New York and other cities since 1998. The HybriDrive series systempowers nearly 4,000 buses and has saved operators more than 38 million gallons of diesel fuel while preventing 520,000 tons of C02 in cities across North America and in the United Kingdom.
About Ballard Power Systems
Ballard Power Systems (NASDAQ: BLDP)(TSX: BLD) provides clean energy fuel cell products enabling optimized power systems for a range of applications. Products deliver incomparable performance, durability and versatility. To learn more about Ballard, please visit www.ballard.com.
About ElDorado National
ElDorado National is a wholly owned subsidiary of Thor Industries, Inc. (NYSE:THO), North America's leading manufacturer of small and mid---size buses commercial buses. ElDorado National provides the largest selection of buses and widest range of power systems and alternate fuels for all public and private sector applications. Vehicles range from low---floor minivans to 40' transit buses, with seating capacities from 4 to 49 passengers. Every ElDorado National product, whether a shuttle or a heavy---duty transit coach, is crafted with one thought paramount: At ElDorado National, quality is not an option --- it is the standard.
About CTTRANSIT
CTTRANSIT is the state---owned bus transit system serving the greater Hartford, New Haven, Stamford, Waterbury, New Britain, Meriden, Bristol and Wallingford areas of Connecticut.
