Reno Takes A Ride Into the Future with Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Buses

Reno Takes A Ride Into the Future with Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Buses

The Nevada Globe Staff | December 30, 2023

Bucking against rising fuel costs and carbon emissions, the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) of Washoe County is pushing the pedal on a cleaner future with hydrogen fuel-cell buses. After years of experience with electric-battery buses, the RTC is now betting on a technology they believe is even more advanced – and the first two sleek, new fuel-cell buses just rolled into town.

“These hydrogen buses are pretty cool,” says RTC Government Affairs Officer Paul Nelson, his enthusiasm palpable. “They’re electric, just like the ones we already have, but they don’t need overnight charging. They’ve got fuel cells that generate electricity on the go, giving them a whopping 300-mile range, compared to just 100 for our battery buses.”

This leap forward isn’t just about convenience. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) recognizes the game-changing potential of hydrogen, backing the RTC with a $6.8 million grant for these initial two buses and another $8.8 million on the way, paving the path for eight more by the end of 2024.

Beyond increased range, hydrogen boasts scalability. While every battery bus demands its own charger, a single hydrogen fueling station can fuel a fleet of 10 to 50 buses! RTC is already laying the groundwork, setting up a temporary station and importing hydrogen from Sacramento as they plan for a permanent, centralized hub...more
https://thenevadaglobe.com/775times/reno-takes-a-ride-into-the-future-with-hydrogen-fuel-cell-buses/



RELATED:

First Hydrogen Buses Arrive to Reno

2news.com | Josh Meny | December 29, 2023

The Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) of Washoe County has been investing in alternative fuel buses since 2014 to reduce carbon emissions and combat rising fuel costs. Currently, more than a quarter of RTC's 70 bus fleet is composed of electric-battery buses.

However, the RTC has discovered that electric-battery buses have some limitations that hinder their effectiveness. Therefore, the RTC is now investing in hydrogen fuel-cell buses, which are considered superior technology. The first two hydrogen fuel cell buses arrived last week to RTC's Sutro Street location...

....RTC states that hydrogen buses are also safer than regular gas buses. The drivers and mechanics of these new buses will train on virtual reality headsets funded by the Federal government. "The administration is really pushing for more sustainable transportation, and hydrogen fuel-cell buses do that. Having this federal money available is critical for the RTC because we're not a very large operation. If we didn't have federal funding, we would have to use our local fuel tax dollars. So, this allows us to use that money in other ways," said Government Affairs Officer Paul Nelson...more
https://www.2news.com/news/first-hydrogen-buses-arrive-to-reno/article_188a7f10-a6c3-11ee-8f8a-4b0e077a4ca5.html

RELATED:

Electric buses could not withstand the cold in Oslo

11 DECEMBER 2023

At the beginning of last week, several bus services in Oslo were cancelled. The reason was that the new electric buses could not cope with the cold.

On Monday, about 50 city buses were cancelled and taken out of service. The bus company Ruter reported that the range of the electric buses was not as good as usual because of the cold weather. It was about 12 degrees below zero...more
https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/norway/electric-buses-could-not-withstand-the-cold-in-oslo/

Cold weather? No problem - for hydrogen fuel cells