REPOWERING TO HYDROGEN FOR ZERO EMISSIONS BUS FLEET
November 14, 2023
World-leading gas cylinder manufacturer—Luxfer supplied its expertise to Ricardo (global engineering consultants), for a zero-emissions prototype double-decker bus. The bus was converted from a diesel engine to run on hydrogen fuel cell technology.
Features
The vehicle features Luxfer’s proprietary G-Stor™ H2 cylinders, as part of a five-cylinder system within a bespoke modular frame, holding 24.5 kg of hydrogen.
The prototype has a fuel consumption of 17 km/kg (5.88 kg/100 km) of hydrogen and produces zero emissions when using green hydrogen. This consumption is comparable with the current production FC buses, with further improvements possible in the production phase.
Ricardo estimates that 45,000 kg of carbon dioxide emissions can be avoided by extending the life of existing buses rather than building new ones.
The vehicle, which was converted from a diesel engine to run on hydrogen fuel cell technology, underwent trials in Teesside for six weeks, before being put through its paces on hilly routes around Brighton and Hove.
The project, part funded by the Department for Transport, through its Hydrogen Transport Hub Demonstration competition, aims to demonstrate the benefits of hydrogen as a sustainable passenger transport option by extending the life of existing diesel buses.
Jim Gregory, European Business Development Manager at Luxfer Gas Cylinders, explains: Many operators who have invested in diesel vehicles are now left with stock that has a much-shortened lifespan.
Ricardo is showcasing the hydrogen fuel cell re-powered vehicle to operators, seeking to offer it at around half the price of a new bus. The aim is to secure a 50% match funding investment plus customer commitment for an initial production of 150 buses that could enter service starting from late 2024.
Andrew Ennever, Head of Electrification, at Ricardo, said: "Luxfer's hydrogen cylinders best aligned with the design we had in mind".
“Timescales were also important. We needed a tight turnaround and Luxfer were able to get what we needed quickly, providing support to design and manufacture the cylinder frames for a complete H2 delivery system.”
Luxfer’s alternative fuel expertise has been commissioned for many world-first hydrogen transport projects:
UK’s first retro-fitted hydrogen trains, HydroFLEX 1&2, The world’s first commercial hydrogen truck fleet with Hyundai, The world’s first hydrogen tractor, 70 hydrogen double-decker buses operating across the UK, including Aberdeen and London The world’s first self-powered sailing boat.
Luxfer Gas Cylinders is an operating unit of the Luxfer Group of high-technology companies (please visit www.luxfer.com for more information).
