Home of oil gets first hybrid bus

Part of a joint research programme between the Center for Electromagnetics at the University of Austin and the Gas Technology Institute (GTI), it is the first hydrogen powered bus to be licensed in the state.

Features
The 22-foot shuttle bus is powered by a hybrid electric drivetrain which makes use of both advanced battery electronics and a 20 kilowatt hydrogen-powered fuel cell. The fuel cell system is expected to give the bus a range of up to 200 miles, three to four times farther than with batteries alone. It also includes additional features, such as regenerative braking, to make it even more fuel efficient.

Programme
Designed by Ebus, a US-based designer and manufacturer of electric hybrid buses, the bus will be tested as part of a joint technology programme between the university and the GTI.

The two partner organisations are also collaborating to install a permanent hydrogen fuelling station in Austin to facilitate use of the bus. It will allow for the generation, compression, storage and dispensing of hydrogen on-site.

The bus and fuelling station are part of a new programme for very low-emissions vehicles in Texas, with funding from several federal and national government agencies.