Fuel Cell Electric Bus Evaluations

NREL's technology validation team evaluates fuel cell electric buses to provide comprehensive, unbiased evaluation results of fuel cell bus development and performance compared to conventional baseline vehicles.

Transit buses are one of the best early transportation applications for fuel cell technology. Buses operate in congested areas where pollution is already a problem. These buses are centrally located and fueled, highly visible, and subsidized by government. By evaluating the experiences of these early adopters, NREL can determine the status of bus fuel cell systems and establish lessons learned to aid other fleets in implementing the next generation of these systems.

Both DOE and the Federal Transit Administration fund NREL's hydrogen and fuel cell evaluations. A joint plan describes these evaluations, and the table below summarizes both current and planned projects. This table shows the estimated timing for all of NREL's zero emission bus evaluations, which include both fuel cell electric and battery electric buses. The schedule for planned evaluations is subject to change as each project progresses.

The U.S. Fuel Cell Bus Projects Excel spreadsheet summarizes current and planned projects in the United States.

Presentations and Publications by Year

The following publications are also available in a list by demonstration site.

Orange County Transportation Authority Fuel Cell Electric Bus Progress Report: Data Period Focus: Feb. 2020 Through Jul. 2021, M. Post and E. Collins (July 2022)

SunLine Transit Agency Fuel Cell Electric Bus Progress Report; Data Period Focus: Jan. 2020 Through Dec. 2021, M. Post and E. Collins (July 2022)

Foothill Transit Battery Electric Bus Evaluation: Final Report, M. Jeffers and L. Eudy (June 2021)

SunLine Transit Agency Fuel Cell Electric Bus Progress Report, Data Period Focus: Jan. 2020 Through Jul. 2020, L. Eudy and M. Post (March 2021)

Orange County Transportation Authority Fuel Cell Electric Bus Progress Report, Data Period Focus: Feb. 2020 Through Jul. 2020, L. Eudy and M. Post (March 2021)

Fuel Cell Buses in U.S. Transit Fleets: Current Status 2020, L. Eudy and M. Post (March 2021)

Foothill Transit Agency Battery Electric Bus Progress Report, Data Period Focus: Jan. 2020 through June 2020, L. Eudy and M. Jeffers (December 2020)

Fuel Cell Bus Evaluations, L. Eudy (May 2020)

Zero-Emission Bus Evaluation Results: Long Beach Transit Battery Electric Buses, L. Eudy and M. Jeffers (April 2020)

SunLine Transit Agency American Fuel Cell Bus Progress Report, Data Period Focus: January 2017–July 2019, L. Eudy and M. Jeffers (April 2020)

Foothill Transit Battery Electric Bus Progress Report, Data Period Focus: July 2019 through December 2019, L. Eudy and M. Jeffers (March 2020)

Long Beach Transit Battery Electric Bus Progress Report, Data Period Focus: Jan. 2019 through Jun. 2019, L. Eudy and M. Jeffers (January 2020)

Zero-Emission Bus Evaluation Results: Stark Area Regional Transit Authority (SARTA) Fuel Cell Electric Buses, L. Eudy, M. Post, J. Norris, and S. Sokolsky (October 2019)

Foothill Transit Agency Battery Electric Bus Progress Report, Data Period Focus: Jan. 2019 through Jun. 2019, L. Eudy and M. Jeffers (October 2019)

Zero-Emission Bus Evaluation Results: Orange County Transportation Authority Fuel Cell Electric Bus, L. Eudy and M. Post (May 2019)

Foothill Transit Agency Battery Electric Bus Progress Report, Data Period Focus: Jul. 2018 through Dec. 2018, L. Eudy and M. Jeffers (May 2019)

Fuel Cell Buses in U.S. Transit Fleets: Current Status 2018, L. Eudy and M. Post (December 2018)

Zero-Emission Bus Evaluation Results: County Connection Battery Electric Buses, L. Eudy and M. Jeffers (December 2018)

Foothill Transit Agency Battery Electric Bus Progress Report—Data Period Focus: Jan. 2018 through Jun. 2018, L. Eudy and M. Jeffers (September 2018)

County Connection Battery Electric Bus Demonstration: Preliminary Project Results, FTA Fact Sheet (Revised September 2018)

Foothill Transit Agency Battery Electric Bus Progress Report—Data Period Focus: Jan. 2017 through Dec. 2017, L. Eudy and M. Jeffers (May 2018)

Zero-Emission Bus Evaluation Results: King County Metro Battery Electric Buses, L. Eudy and M. Jeffers (February 2018)

Fuel Cell Buses in U.S. Transit Fleets: Current Status 2017, L. Eudy and M. Post (November 2017)

Zero Emission Bay Area (ZEBA) Fuel Cell Bus Demonstration Results: Sixth Report, L. Eudy, M. Post, and M. Jeffers (September 2017)

Foothill Transit Battery Electric Bus Demonstration Results: Second Report, L. Eudy and M. Jeffers (June 2017)

American Fuel Cell Bus Project Evaluation: Third Report, L. Eudy, M. Post, and M. Jeffers (May 2017)

King County Metro Battery Electric Bus Demonstration: Preliminary Project Results, FTA Fact Sheet (May 2017)

Massachusetts Fuel Cell Bus Project: Demonstrating a Total Transit Solution for Fuel Cell Electric Buses in Boston, FTA Fact Sheet (May 2017)

Fuel Cell Buses in U.S. Transit Fleets: Current Status 2016, L. Eudy, M. Post, and M. Jeffers (November 2016)

Zero Emission Bay Area (ZEBA) Fuel Cell Bus Demonstration Results: Fifth Report, L. Eudy, M. Post, and M. Jeffers (June 2016)

Foothill Transit Battery Electric Bus Demonstration Results, L. Eudy, R. Prohaska, K. Kelly, and M. Post (January 2016)

Fuel Cell Buses in U.S. Transit Fleets: Current Status 2015, L. Eudy, M. Post, and C. Gikakis (December 2015)

American Fuel Cell Bus Project Evaluation: Second Report, L. Eudy and M. Post (September 2015)

Zero Emission Bay Area (ZEBA) Fuel Cell Bus Demonstration Results: Fourth Report, L. Eudy and M. Post (July 2015)

Fuel Cell Buses in U.S. Transit Fleets: Current Status 2014, L. Eudy, M. Post, and C. Gikakis (December 2014)

BC Transit Fuel Cell Bus Project Evaluation Results: Second Report, L. Eudy and M. Post (September 2014)

Fuel Cell Bus Evaluations, L. Eudy, Presented at the 2014 Annual Merit Review Meeting (June 2014)

Zero Emission Bay Area (ZEBA) Fuel Cell Bus Demonstration Results: Third Report, L. Eudy and M. Post (May 2014)

BC Transit Fuel Cell Bus Project: Evaluation Results Report, L. Eudy and M. Post (February 2014)

Fuel Cell Buses in U.S. Transit Fleets: Current Status 2013, L. Eudy and C. Gikakis (December 2013)

American Fuel Cell Bus Project: First Analysis Report, L. Eudy and K. Chandler (June 2013)

SunLine Transit Agency Advanced Technology Fuel Cell Bus Evaluation: Fourth Results Report, L. Eudy and K. Chandler (January 2013)

Fuel Cell Buses in U.S. Transit Fleets: Current Status 2012, L. Eudy, K. Chandler, and C. Gikakis (November 2012)

Zero Emission Bay Area (ZEBA) Fuel Cell Bus Demonstration: Second Results Report, L. Eudy and K. Chandler (July 2012)

SunLine Transit Agency Advanced Technology Fuel Cell Bus Evaluation: Third Results Report, L. Eudy and K. Chandler (May 2012)

FTA Fuel Cell Bus Program: Research Accomplishments through 2011, K. Chandler and L. Eudy (March 2012)

American Fuel Cell Bus Project: Developing and Demonstrating the Next-Generation Fuel Cell Bus Made in America, L. Eudy (February 2012)

Fuel Cell Buses in U.S. Transit Fleets: Current Status 2011, L. Eudy, K. Chandler, and C. Gikakis (November 2011)

National Fuel Cell Bus Program: Proterra Fuel Cell Hybrid Bus Report, Columbia Demonstration, L. Eudy and K. Chandler (October 2011)

SunLine Transit Agency Advanced Technology Fuel Cell Bus Evaluation: Second Results Report, L. Eudy and K. Chandler (October 2011)

SunLine Transit Agency Advanced Technology Fuel Cell Bus Evaluation: Second Results Report Appendices, L. Eudy and K. Chandler (October 2011)

Zero Emission Bay Area (ZEBA) Fuel Cell Bus Demonstration: First Results Report, K. Chandler and L. Eudy (August 2011)

Connecticut Nutmeg Fuel Cell Bus Project: Demonstrating Advanced-Design Hybrid Fuel Cell Buses in Connecticut, L. Eudy (July 2011)

Compound Fuel Cell Hybrid Bus Hits the Streets of San Francisco: San Francisco Hosts National Fuel Cell Bus Program Demonstration, L. Eudy (July 2011)

SunLine Transit Agency Advanced Technology Fuel Cell Bus Evaluation: First Results Report, L. Eudy and K. Chandler (March 2011)

SunLine Leads the Way in Demonstrating Hydrogen-Fueled Bus Technologies, NREL Brochure, L. Eudy (January 2011)

Fuel Cell Transit Bus Evaluations: Joint Evaluation Plan for the U.S. Department of Energy and the Federal Transit Administration (November 2010)

Fuel Cell Transit Bus Evaluations: Joint Evaluation Plan for the U.S. Department of Energy and the Federal Transit Administration; Appendix: Summary of Fuel Cell Transit Bus Demonstration Sites in North America (November 2010)

Fuel Cell Buses in U.S. Transit Fleets: Current Status 2010, L. Eudy, K. Chandler, and C. Gikakis (November 2010)

Bay Area Transit Agencies Propel Fuel Cell Buses Toward Commercialization, Fuel Cell Technologies Program Fact Sheet, L. Eudy (July 2010)

National Fuel Cell Bus Program: Accelerated Testing Evaluation Report #2, Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit), K. Chandler and L. Eudy (June 2010)

National Fuel Cell Bus Program: Accelerated Testing Evaluation Report #2, Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) Appendices, K. Chandler and L. Eudy (June 2010)

Fuel Cell Bus Takes a Starring Role in the BurbankBus Fleet, Fuel Cell Technologies Program Fact Sheet, L. Eudy (May 2010)

Connecticut Transit (CTTRANSIT) Fuel Cell Transit Bus: Third Evaluation Report, K. Chandler and L. Eudy (January 2010)

Connecticut Transit (CTTRANSIT) Fuel Cell Transit Bus: Third Evaluation Report—Appendices, K. Chandler and L. Eudy (January 2010)

Fuel Cell Buses in U.S. Transit Fleets: Current Status 2009, L. Eudy, K. Chandler, and C. Gikakis (October 2009)

SunLine Transit Agency Fuel Cell Transit Bus: Fifth Evaluation Report, L. Eudy and K. Chandler (August 2009)

SunLine Transit Agency Fuel Cell Transit Bus: Fifth Evaluation Report—Appendices, L. Eudy and K. Chandler (August 2009)

Connecticut Transit (CTTRANSIT) Fuel Cell Transit Bus: Second Evaluation Report, K. Chandler and L. Eudy (May 2009)

Connecticut Transit (CTTRANSIT) Fuel Cell Transit Bus: Second Evaluation Report—Appendices, K. Chandler and L. Eudy (May 2009)

National Fuel Cell Bus Program: Accelerated Testing Evaluation Report, K. Chandler and L. Eudy (January 2009)

National Fuel Cell Bus Program: Accelerated Testing Evaluation Report Appendices, K. Chandler and L. Eudy (January 2009)

SunLine Transit Agency Fuel Cell Transit Bus: Fourth Evaluation Report, K. Chandler and L. Eudy (January 2009)

SunLine Transit Agency Fuel Cell Transit Bus: Fourth Evaluation Report—Appendices, K. Chandler and L. Eudy (January 2009)

Fuel Cell Buses in U.S. Transit Fleets: Current Status 2008, L. Eudy and K. Chandler (December 2008)

Connecticut Transit (CTTRANSIT) Fuel Cell Transit Bus: Preliminary Evaluation Results, K. Chandler (October 2008)

Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) Fuel Cell Transit Buses: Third Evaluation Report, K. Chandler and L. Eudy (July 2008)

Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) Fuel Cell Transit Buses: Third Evaluation Report—Appendices, K. Chandler and L. Eudy (July 2008)

SunLine Transit Agency Hydrogen-Powered Transit Buses: Third Evaluation Report (June 2008)

SunLine Transit Agency Hydrogen-Powered Transit Buses: Third Evaluation Report—Appendices (June 2008)

SunLine Begins Extended Testing of Hybrid Fuel Cell Bus, DOE Hydrogen Program Fact Sheet (June 2008)

Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Transit Bus Evaluations: Joint Evaluation Plan for the U.S. Department of Energy and the Federal Transit Administration (May 2008)

Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Transit Bus Evaluations: Joint Evaluation Plan for the U.S. Department of Energy and the Federal Transit Administration; Appendix A: Summary of Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Transit Bus Demonstration Sites in the U.S. (May 2008)

CTTRANSIT Operates New England's First Fuel Cell Hybrid Bus, DOE Hydrogen Program Fact Sheet (February 2008)

Fuel Cell Bus Evaluation Results, L. Eudy, Presented at TRB 87th Annual Meeting (January 2008)

Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) Fuel Cell Transit Buses: Evaluation Results Update, K. Chandler and L. Eudy (October 2007)

Hickam Air Force Base Fuel Cell Vehicles: Early Implementation Experience, L. Eudy and K. Chandler (October 2007)

Fuel Cell Buses in U.S. Transit Fleets: Summary of Experiences and Current Status, L. Eudy, K. Chandler, and C. Gikakis (September 2007)

SunLine Transit Agency, Hydrogen-Powered Transit Buses: Evaluation Results Update, K. Chandler and L. Eudy (September 2007)

Technology Validation: Fuel Cell Bus Evaluations, L. Eudy, Presentation prepared for the 2007 DOE Hydrogen Program Merit Review, Arlington, VA (May 2007)

Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District—Fuel Cell Buses: Preliminary Evaluation Results, K. Chandler and L. Eudy (February 2007)

SunLine Transit Agency, Hydrogen-Powered Transit Buses: Preliminary Evaluation Results, K. Chandler and L. Eudy (February 2007)

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority and San Mateo County Transit District—Fuel Cell Transit Buses: Evaluation Results, K. Chandler and L. Eudy (November 2006)

SunLine Tests HHICE Bus in Desert Climate, L. Eudy (October 2006)

AC Transit Demos Three Prototype Fuel Cell Buses, L. Eudy (May 2006)

SunLine Expands Horizons with Fuel Cell Bus Demo, L. Eudy (May 2006)

VTA Prototype Fuel Cell Bus Evaluation: Interim Results, L. Eudy, Presentation prepared for the APTA Bus and Paratransit Conference, Anaheim, California (May 2006)

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority and San Mateo County Transit District, Fuel Cell Transit Buses: Preliminary Evaluation Results, K. Chandler and L. Eudy (March 2006)

Fuel Cell Bus Demonstration Projects: VTA, SamTrans Look into Future with Bus Demo, L. Eudy (September 2005)

DOE Hydrogen Program FY 2004 Progress Report, V.C.3 Technology Validation: Fuel Cell Bus Evaluations, L. Eudy (November 2004)

Fuel Cell Bus Demonstration Projects: Fuel Cell Hybrid Bus Lands at Hickam AFB, L. Eudy (September 2004)

ThunderPower Bus Evaluation at SunLine Transit Agency, K. Chandler and L. Eudy (November 2003)

Fuel Cell Transit Bus Coordination and Evaluation Plan, L. Eudy et al. (October 2003)

SunLine Test Drives Hydrogen (ThunderPower) Bus, L. Eudy (August 2003)

Partners

This section provides presentations and publications describing hydrogen fuel cell bus evaluations performed at various demonstration sites. These publications are also available in a list by year.