Following a highly successful showcase across eastern Canada in 2024, bus manufacturer New Flyer has spent the past four months conducting a comprehensive fuel-cell electric bus tour throughout the U.S., demonstrating the extended operational range and increased fueling capacity of its Xcelsior CHARGE FC™ transit bus, powered by Ballard.
Integrating Ballard’s FCmove®-HD+ 100kW fuel cell engine, the zero-emission bus has swung into transit operator facilities and industry conferences - providing agencies, customers, and the general public throughout the country’s southern states the chance to take a closer look at the advanced features of New Flyer’s decarbonized vehicle.
Spanning several states, New Flyer’s extensive tour has travelled from California to Washington State – demonstrating the fuel cell bus to transit agencies including Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT), San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), and Pierce Transit – where the hydrogen-powered technology impressed attendees during demos, test drives, and technical reviews.
One particular highlight that wowed passengers happened during a trial run through San Francisco’s steep 16% grade hills - which can prove challenging for public transit units – but which the Xcelsior CHARGE FC™ tackled with ease, to the delight of those onboard which included SFMTA directors and members from their operations, procurement, safety, and planning teams.
The tour also emphasized the importance of the existing and developing hydrogen infrastructure ecosystem, with New Flyer staging key talks at hydrogen refuelling stations and charging stations to explain the integral part maintenance, technical support, and training has in sustaining the zero-emission network that keeps fuel cell buses in operational service.
Another critical element of the tour was the Ballard-powered bus’s presence at a number of industry conferences, engaging in week-long showcases at events including the Washington State Transit Association’s Public Transportation Conference, Vendor Expo & State Rodeo; California Association for Coordinated Transportation's Fall Conference in Stanton, Nevada; and the New York Public Transit Association's Annual Conference & Expo in Saratoga Springs, New York – which is the largest gathering of public transportation professionals in the state.
From seasoned transit professionals to young enthusiasts, New Flyer’s tour has injected excitement in zero-emission transit technology across demographics – with the Xcelsior CHARGE FC™ at the forefront in demonstrating the potential and scalability of hydrogen power.
As the most advanced hydrogen fuel cell bus currently operating in North America, New Flyer's Xcelsior CHARGE FC™ offers public transit a longer range, enhanced energy recovery, and is smart city capable. More than 220 Xcelsior CHARGE FC™ buses are currently operating across the U.S. and Canada.