Buses

27 Nov 2018

ADL has been working on a hydrogen double deck bus for over two years. It is based on the market-leading Enviro400 and has been developed through extensive collaboration between ADL’s in-house Advanced Engineering teams and expert hydrogen and fuel cell system integrators Arcola Energy.

The hydrogen-powered Enviro400 has an electric driveline with axle-mounted motors. The on-board battery is charged by feeding hydrogen from secure tanks to a fuel cell system where it is converted to electricity. No external battery charging is required and the vehicle’s only emission is water vapour.

A prototype bus has been through several design iterations to optimise performance and ensure highest standards of regulatory and safety compliance. The prototype has successfully completed route shadowing trials in several UK cities, delivering what is believed to be the highest efficiency and therefore lowest fuel cost in its class. Operators supporting the route shadowing trials have commented positively on the performance achieved.

ADL is now taking orders for this product and will be working with cities, bus operators and other stakeholders around the UK to further explore the potential for hydrogen fuel cell buses through fleet trials.

The hydrogen fuel cell powered Enviro400 will be an addition to ADL’s range of low and zero emission buses and will not replace any existing products.

The hydrogen vehicles will benefit from ADL’s class-leading aftermarket support. Fuelling infrastructure and hydrogen supply can be provided from the company’s partners.

The image, taken by Andrew Macintosh, shows the prototype hydrogen fuel cell powered ADL Enviro400 during trials.

https://www.alexander-dennis.com/media/news/2018/november/adl-adds-hydrogen-fuel-cell-technology-to-the-market-s-widest-range-of-low-and-zero-emission-buses/