TOPIC 'Hydrogen & Hydrogen Cars' on Nov 10, 2008 (CET)
Hydrogen Buses and Other Vehicles Operating In Germany
Public transit operator, Vestische Strassenbahnen GmbH, in the German state of North Rhine Westphalia (NRW), recently awarded a contract to the Hydrogenics Corporation for the delivery of two fuel-celled buses powered by hydrogen. The buses operate for a greater duration of time and over a greater distance than buses powered by batteries only. The hydrogen fuel-cell powered buses can be recharged in a shorter amount of time as well.
The buses will run daily routes to service the cities of Bottrop and Herten, and they are expected to be fully operational and on the road by 2009. Upon completion of this contract, Hydrogenics will have delivered nine hydrogen-powered fuel cell buses to Europe. Three of those nine are in use by the HyChain Mini-Trans project. Hydrogenics Corporation is based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.
HyChain Mini-Trans is a program designed to link hydrogen fuel cell vehicles together with public use. The intention of this project by the European Union is to make 150 small vehicles operated by fuel cells available to citizens of Germany, France, Spain, and Italy. The transportation modes include scooters, utility cars, mini-buses, cargobikes, and tricycles. During testing of the vehicles, drivers can trade in one of their empty hydrogen containers for a full one at specially designated areas. The intent of the project is to show the reliability of the vehicles and the fact that they can be a viable alternative solution in the future.
The Masterflex Cargobike operates via a hydrogen fuel cell, along with a lithium-ion battery, and resembles a three-wheeled elongated tricycle. It can also be utilized with good old-fashioned pedal power and it gives off zero emissions. It is meant to carry light items throughout cities and industrial areas. Some possible uses seen for this mode of transport include airport deliveries and use by postal workers.
Sherry Irvin
on behalf of the
BascoTec Internet Limited
Technologie Park 13
33100 Paderborn
Germany
