Perth trial for zero-emission fuel cell bus [Visual]

12/03/00
Perth's image as the clean fuel capital of Australia received a further boost today with the introduction of a hydrogen fuel cell bus - a revolutionary form of zero-emission fuel technology.
Premier Richard Court said Perth was the first city in the Southern Hemisphere to trial the new technology.
"The NEBUS (New Electro Bus) will be trialled by Transperth over the next fortnight," Mr Court said at the launch of the demonstration model today.
"The most outstanding feature of the fuel cell is that it produces no pollution.
" The only 'emission' during operation is water vapour."
The bus being used in the trial has been manufactured by Daimler Chrysler.
The fuel cell works by continuously passing hydrogen through carbon plates and a chemical reaction with oxygen produces energy in the form of electricity.
"Already this technology is being hailed as the power source for the new millennium following successful trials in Vancouver, Chicago and the city of Nabern in Germany," Mr Court said.
"Daimler-Chrysler hope to have an initial commercial prototype fleet up and operating as early as 2004."
The Premier said that while ultra-reliable low-sulphur diesel engines currently form the backbone of Transperth's 848 buses there was adequate scope to examine new technologies and inject them into the fleet in the future.
Transperth already has 52 gas powered buses in operation and arrangements are being finalised to trial direct-injection compressed natural gas buses.
"Fuel cell technology could become one of the range of reliable and environmentally friendly power sources we are introducing into our Transperth bus fleet," Mr Court said.
He said other advantages of the fuel cell were that it delivered power only when needed, provided continuous power from hydrogen tanks which could be easily refuelled, did not need recharging and was extremely efficient without any of the energy loss associated with an internal combustion engine.
Information gleaned from the Perth demonstration could lead to a more formalised trial with Daimler Chrysler as more buses are manufactured.
The NEBUS will be on display at shopping centres and other venues around Perth and Mandurah. People will also have the opportunity to ride the bus free of charge on selected routes and at certain venues.
Mr Court said that in January Western Australia became the first State to remove lead from petrol under new fuel regulations designed to make Perth the clean fuel city of Australia.
"Traditional leaded fuel has been replaced with unleaded fuel containing a special additive allowing vehicles that currently use leaded fuel to run as usual," the Premier said.
"These regulations are a significant step in cutting the amount of air pollution from motor vehicles.
"Trialling the NEBUS is another step towards our vision of providing a cleaner environment for all Western Australians."
Media contact: Casey Cahill 9222 9475

Premier Richard Court with Jack Wilson, of Daimier Chrysler and Dr Manfred Schuckert (right) of Evobus, at the launch of the new bus.