Accelerating hydrogen implementation by mass production of a hydrogen bus chassis

Abstract

Much of the hydrogen vehicle research to date has been conducted and demonstrated in wealthy nations, with very few exceptions. However, developing economies are largely dependent on public transportation, and struggle with air pollution and energy security concerns. The developing regions are in great need of alternative transportation solutions, and although many alternatives are being explored, hydrogen-fueled vehicles are emerging as one of the only technologies that can meet the demands for lower greenhouse gas emissions, lower emissions of air pollutants, and reduced dependence on imported energy. Most conventional buses in developing regions are built from an imported 'buggy-chassis', which is a functional bus chassis with an engine and other auxiliaries. Domestic companies extend the 'buggy-chassis' to full bus length, build the 2 body and cabin, and install other auxiliary systems. The existing infrastructure of the bus buggy-chassis market can be used to leverage hydrogen technology for mass production.This solution allows developing nations to import a state-of-the-art vehicle, with the possibility for significant local content in the final delivered product, while maintaining the flexibility for innovative technological developments and promoting hydrogen research within the developing economies. Indeed, a modular series-hybrid drivetrain can be made adaptable to a range of primary power sources such as an internal combustion engine or fuel cell engine. The modular approach provides an opportunity to reduce cost while still providing flexibility for innovation, and allows customers to tailor performance to suit their topographical and operational needs.

The role of hydrogen in Australia's transport energy mix

“…The economics of hydrogen bus transportation were analysed by Cockroft and Owen [48] using a multi-criteria approach, which estimated the societal costs and benefits of the technology using data and statistics derived from the trial. An LCA on the trial was published by Ally and Pryor [49], [50], and the potential for cost reduction of Australian fuel cell buses by leveraging the larger bus chassis market was explored in [51].…”

Study of the fuel efficiency and ecological aspects of CNG buses in urban public transport in Belgrade

“…At this moment, natural gas in compressed condition is the leading alternative fuel used for buses in urban public transport. Due to their large size, which facilitates the inclusion of larger engines and fuel tanks, along with their fi xed routes and refuelling points, city bus fl eets provide excellent opportunities for commercial demonstrations of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. Fearghal and Caulfi eld [17] examined the potential benefi ts of switching 81 buses in the Dublin bus fl eet to alternative fuels.…”