BAE Systems has long been a technology innovator and leader in low and zero-emission bus solutions, and because of our track record, we’ve recently been given the opportunity to bring our cleaner and more energy efficient solutions to new cities.
As the result of U.S. Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Low-No grants, our company will take the lead in powering several city buses with zero-emission solutions, based on hydrogen fuel cell and battery-electric technology.
Specifically, we, along with our partners from the American Fuel Cell Bus team, will receive $4 million from Ohio’s Stark Area Regional Transit Authority (SARTA), one of the FTA’s Low-No grant award recipients, for the building of three zero-emission, hydrogen fuel cell buses. Additionally, Central Contra Costa Transit Authority (CCCTA) will receive funding to purchase four all-electric buses which we will integrate with an en-route wireless fast-charging capability that extends their range between depot overnight plug-in charging.
The FTA provides financial and technical assistance to local public transit systems to fund next-generation technology research and development. As part of its mission, the FTA introduced the Low or No Emission Vehicle Deployment (Low-No) Program to ensure that the cleanest and most energy efficient U.S.-made transit buses are tested and proven for future use in the nation’s transportation systems.
As a forerunner in clean transit solutions, we seek out programs like the FTA’s Low-No program to help demonstrate our commitment to transit. Bob Devine, director of Advanced Applications for BAE Systems’ Power & Propulsion Solutions notes, “The FTA’s award to SARTA will help commercialize fuel cell buses as an option for transit agencies looking to seamlessly integrate zero-emission buses into their everyday operations while the award to CCCTA will showcase a very capable and reliable battery-electric solution to the market.”
Our technology continues to support the nation’s objectives by delivering both low and zero-emission options for transit featuring hybrid-electric, fuel cell-electric, and battery-electric technologies. We currently have more than 6,000 hybrid propulsion systems in operation around the globe, and are saving 13 million gallons of fuel and preventing the release of 150,000 tons of CO2 each year. Our business continues to innovate to provide low and no-emission products and solutions that advance vehicle mobility, efficiency, and capability for transit and adjacent markets.
