Canada: A zero-Emission Bus Fleet during Winter Games

January 22, 2010

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Friday January 22, 2010, in Whistler, British Columbia, BC Transit has inaugurated the hydrogen station that will fuel its fleet of 20 zero-emission buses.

These vehicles will run in Whistler, and soon will be carrying athletes and visitors to the 2010 Winter Games.

In addition to supplying certified hydrogen fuel, Air Liquide designed, built, operates and maintains the filling station that will keep B.C.’s new fleet of green buses on the move. It will be the largest hydrogen filling station in the world with the capacity to fill 23 buses per day. Over forty Air Liquide stations have been installed throughout the world to date.

The hydrogen load provided at the Whistler filling station is unique in addressing both hydrogen infrastructure and climate change. The hydrogen is produced from 98% renewable resources, generated by electrolysis predominantly using hydro-electricity from Quebec. Then it is liquefied and transported to Whistler.

Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles do not emit any CO2. In one year, through the use of 20 fuel cell buses, over 1,800 tonnes of GHG are saved. Considering the 20-year lifespan of these vehicles, it virtually represents over 36,000 tonnes that could be avoided.

Other Canadian programs include the Vancouver and Montreal airports, which are installing hydrogen stations to supply passenger and utility fuel cell vehicles.

Air Liquide is actively engaged in meeting energy needs and preserving our atmosphere, investing 60 percent of its R&D budget in solutions aiming to preserve the environment and life. Among these, working closely with partners in the private and public sectors, Air Liquide is developing the entire hydrogen energy supply chain, from the production, storage, distribution and safe handling of hydrogen to the development and manufacture of advanced fuel cells.