Fuel Cell Buses for Beijing

DaimlerChrysler has handed over three fuel cell-powered Mercedes-Benz Citaro buses to officials from Beijing, China. The buses will enter into regular service with the Beijing Public Transport Corporation (BPTC) along a busy 11.8 mile route. They are part of a Chinese fuel cell project that aims to examine the day-to-day practicality of fuel cell technology on the roads of China, and additionally gauge the acceptance level for the new technology by Beijing residents. Project partners include BPTC, which will operate the three Citaro fuel cell buses alongside its fleet of 17,000 buses, and BP, which will supply the hydrogen.

 

China's fuel cell project is getting some outside help. The United Nations Development Program has made subsidies amounting to $2 million in its effort to fight the growing problem of air pollution in China's most densely populated areas. The European Commission is also a sponsor, integrating China's project into the European Union's Fuel Cell Bus Project so the Chinese are able to benefit from the experience gained during the operation of 30 fuel cell-powered Citaro buses by 10 European transport authorities over the last two years.