Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) has announced that its next-generation double-decker hydrogen bus will deliver a zero-emission range of up to 300 miles.
It will be powered by a Ballard fuel cell power module through Voith’s Electrical Drive System (VEDS).
Designed and fully built in Britain, ADL’s next generation hydrogen double-decker – which is being developed under the project name H2.0 and expected to be on the road before the end of the year – aims to support the development of skills in the growing clean vehicle technology sector and boost the UK hydrogen economy, while delivering governments’ net zero targets through the carbon-neutral electrification of high-mileage bus routes.
H2.0 is ADL’s second-generation hydrogen platform, incorporating learnings from nationwide trials to set new standards for range and efficiency. It builds on more than 25 years of hydrogen experience at New Flyer, another NFI Group subsidiary and one of the global pioneers in hydrogen buses.
ADL says its forthcoming integral hydrogen bus ‘perfectly balances weight and maximises saloon space.’
It says that the fuel cells have been designed to minimise fuel consumption and maximise performance for the lowest possible total cost of ownership. With fewer higher volume tanks, the H2.0 should reduce the maintenance effort while increasing fuel capacity to deliver an increased zero emission range.
The Voith Electrical Drive System boosts energy regeneration during the braking phase and delivers increased efficiency over the outgoing model, further enhanced by advanced thermal management which uses excess heat from the fuel cells and driveline to heat the saloon, minimising additional power requirements.
ADL President & Managing Director, Paul Davies said: “H2.0 is going to be a milestone for zero emission technology with unrivalled efficiency that gives a class-leading range, perfect for high mileage routes that battery technology doesn’t cover.
“Designed and built in Britain, our next generation hydrogen bus will retain investment in our economy and boost skills in clean vehicle technology, a crucial sector for future development as the United Kingdom targets net zero by 2050.”
