Summary
- Almost 700,000 battery electric buses are in operation globally compared to only about 6,000 hydrogen buses.
- The Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) and the Canadian Urban Transit Research and Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC) have different views on decarbonizing transit.
- The CUTA conference had more sessions focused on hydrogen compared to battery electric buses, despite global trends favoring battery electric buses.
- Battery electric buses are seen as the biggest transformation for Canadian transit agencies, with most already committed to transitioning to majority or entirely battery electric fleets.
- Concerns are raised about New Flyer’s focus on hydrogen fuel cell buses, the strategic blunder leading to potential loss of battery electric bus sales and the financial implications of such decisions.
Article
CleanTechnica reports on the state of battery electric buses and hydrogen buses globally, with a focus on Canada’s transit industry. The article highlights the disparity in numbers between electric buses and hydrogen buses in operation, as well as the challenges faced by hydrogen buses in terms of leaks and global warming impact. The CUTA Toronto Annual Conference and Transit Show is discussed, with a critique of its emphasis on hydrogen over battery electric buses, despite the latter being more prevalent and proven. The article also delves into the flawed scenario report for Brampton, which favored hydrogen over battery electric buses based on faulty cost assumptions.
The author questions the agenda of the CUTA conference, pointing out the disproportionate focus on hydrogen-related sessions compared to battery electric bus sessions. There is a lack of emphasis on crucial topics such as electric bus charging, battery buffering, and route optimization strategies. The article also sheds light on the shortcomings of hydrogen buses, including higher emissions, higher costs, and maintenance issues. Real-world data from hydrogen fleets is cited to highlight the challenges faced during winter and the overall inefficiency of hydrogen as a fuel source for buses.
The article provides a critical analysis of the battery session at the conference, pointing out the flaws in methodology and the lack of consideration for technological advancements in battery energy density. The author emphasizes the importance of focusing on battery electric buses as the most viable decarbonization solution for Canadian transit agencies. With hundreds of battery electric buses on order and a majority commitment to electric fleets, the author argues that the disproportionate attention given to hydrogen buses is misguided.
Despite other valuable sessions on transit safety, revenue, and accessibility, the author criticizes the lack of a coherent focus on transitioning to battery electric fleets at the CUTA conference. The article calls out the misleading information provided by organizations like CUTRIC, which have pushed for hydrogen buses over battery electric buses, to the detriment of transit agencies. The author highlights the need for a strategic shift towards battery electric buses as the most effective solution for decarbonizing transit in Canada and criticizes the current approach taken by the industry.
In conclusion, the article urges the transit industry to prioritize battery electric buses over hydrogen buses, citing global trends, technological advancements, and real-world data to support the argument. The author underscores the need for a more balanced and informed approach to decarbonizing transit and calls for a reevaluation of the current emphasis on hydrogen as a fuel source for buses. The article serves as a call to action for Canadian transit agencies to align their strategies with the proven benefits and effectiveness of battery electric buses in achieving sustainable and efficient public transportation systems.
Read the full article here
