Victor Valley unveils new fuel cell bus fleet and hydrogen infrastructure

In California's High Desert region, the Victor Valley Transit Authority (VVTA) welcomed in 2026 by unveiling 13 new hydrogen fuel cell buses and interim hydrogen refueling infrastructure, marking a key milestone in the  agency's shift towards low-emission transport. Powered by Ballard, this new fuel cell bus fleet adds to the more than 220 New Flyer Xcelsior CHARGE FC™ hydrogen buses currently operating across North America - with the total number of in-service fuel cell units nearly doubling during 2025.

At the ribbon cutting event in San Bernardino County, California on January 14 – supported by project partners, industry collaborators, and government attendees – VVTA revealed its newly branded Xcelsior CHARGE FC™ hydrogen-powered fleet and an interim hydrogen refueling station (HRS) to service the agency's ridership in the High Desert region's challenging climate.

This milestone demonstrates VVTA’s commitment to integrating hydrogen fuel cell technology into its existing public transportation network to deliver clean, reliable, and resilient transit services for riders and communities across the region. The deployment supports a long-term transition strategy, under which VVTA will incrementally advance toward a fully zero-emission fleet.

“Today’s unveiling is more than new buses or a fueling station; it’s a statement about our responsibility to the communities we serve and the environment we share. By introducing 13 hydrogen fuel cell buses and an interim fueling station, VVTA is advancing cleaner air and a more sustainable future. This milestone, along with our new branding, reflects the power of strong partnerships and our commitment to investing wisely today for generations to come.”

Nancie Goff CEO, VVTA

The Xcelsior CHARGE FC™ buses are powered by Ballard’s FCmove^®-HD+ 100 kW fuel cell engine, which delivers proven performance, durability, and reliability. Its compact, easy-to-integrate design provides an efficient solution for public transit operations, while robust proton-exchange membrane (PEM) technology delivers the power, range, and efficiency required for VVTA’s service routes. The fuel cell’s proven stack lifetime further ensures dependable operation throughout the vehicle’s service life.

This latest deployment by a forward-thinking transit authority expands the growing fleet of more than 220 Xcelsior CHARGE FC™ buses currently delivering clean and sustainable transit services across North America.

To support the new fleet, VVTA is utilizing a gaseous mobile hydrogen fueler from Linde, with a second mobile unit initially planned to serve more than 10 fuel cell buses. With additional support from Air Liquide, VVTA is also currently constructing a permanent HRS at its Hesperia facility - including an interim fueling solution - which will significantly improve the agency's capacity to service and refuel its fuel cell fleet.