PROTERRA LLC INTRODUCES HFC35 ALTERNATIVE-FUEL TRANSIT BUS
Proterra, an American bus manufacturer, recently showed the prototype of its new HFC35, a 35’ composite body, zero emissions, battery-dominant hybrid-electric transit bus. This advanced bus is designed to accommodate a variety of auxiliary power units (APU’s) including diesel, gasoline and CNG; the prototype bus employs two Hydrogenics 16 kW hydrogen fuel cell APU’s and a UQM PowerPhase 150 electric propulsion system.
Proterra developed the HFC35 hydrogen fuel cell hybrid electric bus with funding from the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) National Fuel Cell Bus Program. This is the first-ever ground-up design of a light-weight, energy-efficient, alternative-fuel hybrid transit bus. Instead of retrofitting a conventional diesel bus, it has a completely new design, emitting only pure water as its propulsion system's by-product. The TerraVolt fast-charging energy storage system, including proprietary battery modules, battery management and energy optimization systems, is among the most innovative features of the HFC35. Designed and integrated right into Proterra's composite body floor system, the TerraVolt system can be recharged by either using a Proterra rapid charge station for only minutes at route layovers, by plugging in overnight, or during operation from any form of APU. TerraVolt also has the ability to solely power a full battery-electric transit bus. This unique energy storage system is good for 10,000 total discharge cycles (estimated to last the life of the bus). Vehicle operators can realize up to $350,000 savings in total fuel expense savings over the 12-year life of the bus as compared to a conventional diesel bus, according to Proterra.