California’s Foothill Transit Leads North America with Largest Hydrogen Bus Fleet
Foothill Transit, operated by Keolis in California, has deployed North America’s largest hydrogen-powered bus fleet, with 33 New Flyer hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The initiative includes a 25,000-gallon hydrogen fueling tank in Pomona, California, representing a significant advancement in sustainable public transportation.
The Limitations of Battery Electric Buses
Foothill Transit pioneered electric public transportation in North America, introducing fast-charge electric buses in 2010. Their current fleet includes 33 electric buses, with two Alexander Dennis battery electric double-deckers, making it one of the largest electric bus fleets in the United States.
However, battery electric buses face a significant challenge: extended charging times, particularly when air conditioning systems are in use. These lengthy recharge requirements often lead to service disruptions across the transport network.
Hydrogen Fuel Cells: A Solution for Continuous Service
To address these service continuity issues, Foothill Transit collaborated with technology partners to implement hydrogen fuel cell technology. The hydrogen fuel cell continuously supplies electricity to the battery while the bus operates, effectively eliminating downtime related to battery charging.
The project involved building a dedicated hydrogen facility at the Pomona center. Construction began in 2021 and completed in January 2022. The facility features:
- North America’s largest hydrogen tank (25,000 gallons)
- Electrolyzers
- Dispensers
- Supporting equipment
Comprehensive training ensured all technicians could safely operate and maintain both the vehicles and the hydrogen infrastructure.
Operational Benefits: Enhanced Efficiency and Reliability
The hydrogen-powered fleet offers several key advantages:
- Rapid refueling: 6-8 minutes versus 6-8 hours for battery electric buses
- Extended range: Vehicles can cover over 400 kilometers daily
- Improved passenger experience: Smoother, quieter rides
- Operational efficiency: In a demonstration, 18 fuel cell buses were refueled within 90 minutes using two dispensers simultaneously
These improvements have significantly enhanced the transit network’s zero-emission capabilities while maintaining reliable service schedules.
Future Expansion Plans
Building on these successful results, Foothill Transit is:
- Testing hydrogen buses on various routes to gather more performance data
- Expecting delivery of 19 additional fuel cell buses in Fall 2024
- Planning further fleet expansion as technology matures and costs decrease
Approximately 40 transit companies from across North America have visited Foothill Transit to learn about this technology, potentially leading to wider adoption and further cost reductions.
Keolis Group’s Energy Transition Initiative
The energy transition represents a fundamental challenge and priority for the Keolis Group. Beyond simply changing energy sources and equipment, successful implementation requires a complete rethinking of the transportation ecosystem. This includes transforming operational procedures, updating maintenance protocols, enhancing information systems, reimagining infrastructure requirements, and improving passenger amenities.
To support these comprehensive changes, Keolis has established an international network of Energy Transition Centers of Excellence. These specialized centers provide expertise for both general guidance and targeted projects throughout the organization. By leveraging collective knowledge across the group, they help public transport authorities identify optimal solutions for energy needs, vehicle selection, and infrastructure development that best serve their specific regional requirements. This collaborative approach ensures that sustainable transportation solutions are both environmentally sound and operationally practical for diverse community needs.
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