Paper: Optimized fuel cell electric powertrains for buses

As public transportation transitions to zero-emission, selecting the right powertrain technology becomes increasingly important. For fuel cell electric buses, effectively managing the power distribution between the fuel cell and battery is key to maximizing efficiency, performance, and service life. This balance influences critical total cost of ownership factors such as energy consumption, vehicle range, and payload capacity.

In a new paper focused on optimized powertrains for public transit buses, Ballard’s extensive expertise in the development and application of fuel cell technology is combined with Forsee Power’s capabilities in smart battery systems. The partnership leverages the strengths of both companies to deliver integrated hybrid energy systems - providing OEMs and fleet operators with a structured, duty-cycle-informed methodology for powertrain configuration.

Drawing on both companies’ expertise and proven experience, the collaboration delivers integrated hybrid energy solutions tailored to real-world public transit operations. The study leverages advanced in-house modeling tools to simulate actual duty cycles, enabling more precise alignment of technology choices with application-specific requirements.

Among its key subject matters, the paper covers the design principles that, combined with system modeling, provide a definitive guide to component configuration; the elements and strategy to consider when choosing the right battery; and what major considerations bus OEMs, transit agencies, and end users must align on when landing on a balanced solution that will deliver a bus with the lowest lifecycle costs and best performance for their operations.