Starting in 1983, Georgetown University managed a feasibility study of the application of fuel cells to buses. The study, conducted by Los Alamos National Lab and sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation, was completed in 1984. The conclusion: urban transit buses were ideally suited vehicles for fuel cell power.

The next step was a brassboard development project, completed in 1990, in which two 25 kW phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC) systems and the corresponding low-temperature steam reformers for methanol were developed and tested; the participating corporations were Engelhard Corporation (teamed with Fuji Electric) and Energy Research Corporation. After review, the team recommended that the liquid-cooled Fuji fuel cell system be used to power a 30-foot transit bus.

In the following year, contracts were awarded to develop three fuel cell powered hybrid electric 30-foot buses. These buses are methanol-fueled, and are proof-of-concept vehicles called Test Bed Buses (TBBs). The first TBB was rolled out on Earth Day in 1994; the remaining two were completed and rolled out in 1995. Each TBB uses a 50 kW PAFC as the main energy source, supplied by Fuji, using technology licensed from Engelhard. For further information on the fuel cell and propulsion systems, please see the TBB Technical Information page.

Generation I Fuel Cell Bus Configuration
Characteristic	Configuration
Vehicle Type	BMI 30-foot Transit Bus
Curb Vehicle Weight	25,500 lbs
Propulsion	Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell/Battery Hybrid
Seated Passengers	25
Suspension (Front and Rear)	Air spring, kneeling
Fuel	Methanol
Wheelchair Positions	2
Drive Motor	DC Brush
Motor Power	120 kW (160 hp)
Top Speed	55 mph
Range	200-250 miles
Noise Level	10 dB below internal combustion engines

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For technical details, please visit the Technical Information page.

Or visit the photo gallery of the TBBs.