Czech City Bus Gets Fuel Cell Hybrid System

The new electric bus will operate in the Prague vicinity in 2009. The Euro 3 million [US$3.9 million] contract was developed in collaboration with Skoda Electric Pilsen, a manufacturer of trolleybuses.

The project, called Fuel Cells Czech Hydrogen-Bus (FCZ H2-BUS), is funded by the European Commission, as part of its infrastructure funding program, and other Czech institutions. The Czech Nuclear Research Institute is acting as project coordinator, working with other Czech Republic partners.

"Cities across Europe are looking at ways to provide clean and efficient transportation to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and help stem climate change," said Felix Heidelberg, PPS' Chief Executive Officer. "Short distance transport fleets, like buses, can benefit from our hybrid fuel cell technology, which includes energy storage systems capable of providing power during peak demand situations and recovering braking energy."

The many advantages over current commercial alternatives include lower fuel consumption, longer periods between refueling, shorter refueling, consistent levels of power delivery and zero harmful emissions.