Georgetown University
Advanced Vehicle Development
Program History

1983

Inception of Georgetown University Advanced Vehicle Development

The contract to manage a Feasibility Study of Fuel Cells in Buses is awarded to Georgetown University by the U.S. Department of Transportation. This contract is later augmented by funding from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), which eventually assumes leadership of the Fuel Cell Bus Development Program. The Feasibility Study is awarded to Los Alamos National Laboratory by the DOE.


1985

Completion of Feasibility Study

The feasibility study for the application of Fuel Cells to buses is completed. The conclusion is that transit buses are uniquely suited for fuel cell power plants, and that this technology will mature enough in the near future to address the disadvantages.


1987

Start of Brassboard Development Project

Engelhard Corporation of New Jersey (teamed with Fuji Electric in Japan) and Energy Research Corporation (ERC) of Connecticut are each awarded contracts to develop 25 kW brassboard Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell power plants. Georgetown University is awarded a DOE contract for Technical and Program Management assistance, along with Argonne National Laboratory.


1990

Completion of Brassboard Fuel Cell Power Plant Development

After review of the brassboard fuel cell systems, the recommendation is that the liquid-cooled Fuel Cell system be used to power a 30-foot heavy-duty transit bus. Englehard Corporation licenses this technology to Fuji Electric.


1991

Start of Generation I Bus Program

Contracts are awarded to develop three 30-foot Fuel Cell Test Bed Buses (TBBs). Buses shall operate on a liquid fuel (methanol) and be configured as hybrid vehicles. Georgetown University is part of the Program Management team along with Argonne National Laboratory and the DOE.


1993

Start of Generation II Bus Program

Georgetown receives a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to develop 40-foot Fuel Cell powered transit buses, with the key objective of demonstrating commercial feasibility.


1994

Rollout of First Generation I Fuel Cell Bus

The first 30-foot TBB rolls out on Earth Day. UTC Power (formerly International Fuel Cells) is awarded a contract to develop a 100 kW Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell for transit bus application.


1995

Rollout of Remaining Two Generation I Buses

The last two TBBs are completed and rolled out. Ballard Power Systems wins the development contract for a 100 kW Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell for transit bus application.


1998

Rollout of First Generation II Bus

The first 40-foot Fuel Cell powered transit bus, with a 100 kW PAFC from UTC Power, is demonstrated at the American Public Transit Association Bus show in Phoenix, AZ.


2001

Rollout of Second Generation II Bus

The second 40-foot Fuel Cell powered transit bus, with a 100 kW PEMFC from Ballard, is demonstrated as part of the EVAA Electric Transportation Industry Conference at the California Fuel Cell Partnership headquarters in West Sacramento, CA.


2006

Start of Generation III Bus Program

Georgetown begins work with EPRI, ZSW, and NuCellSys to develop the next generation methanol fuel cell system.