Two Ford hydrogen H2ICE buses arrive at Detroit Metro airport
At the Detroit Metro airport today, Ford - along with U.S. Congressman John Dingell - are announcing the delivery of two of Ford's hydrogen-powered H2ICE buses. The special E-450 shuttles burn hydrogen in an internal combustion engine and are already in use in places like Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Canada. Ford has built 30 H2ICE buses and 23 have now been delivered. Ford claims these shuttles offer CO2 emissions reduction of 99.7 percent (compared to a gasoline-fueled E-450, I'm guessing).
Dingell helped get Ford, the Wayne County Airport Authority and the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) a grant from the DOE for the vehicles. Where will these shuttles get their hydrogen? From a pump in Taylor, MI, the town that borders the airport on the east. We'll keep our eye out for these shuttles when we travel to the New York Auto Show tomorrow. Read more from Ford after the jump.
Press Release:
FORD DELIVERS ULTRA-CLEAN HYDROGEN POWERED BUSES TO DETROIT METROPOLITAN AIRPORT
* Ford Motor Company and U.S. Congressman John Dingell announce the delivery of two Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine (H2ICE) buses to Wayne County Airport Authority for terminal-to-terminal shuttle use at Detroit Metropolitan Airport.
* Ford is the world's first automaker to deliver commercial vehicles, powered by internal combustion engines that are fueled exclusively with hydrogen.
* Ford's hydrogen bus delivers up to a 99.7 percent reduction in CO2 emissions and reduces our dependence on oil.
DETROIT, Mich. March 17, 2008 – Ford Motor Company and U.S. Congressman John Dingell and the Wayne County Airport Authority today announced the delivery of two hydrogen-fueled Ford E-450 shuttle buses to be used for transporting airline passengers between terminals at Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW).
Today's delivery is the result of a partnership involving Ford, the Wayne County Airport Authority and the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG). The project is being funded with a Department of Energy grant that was supported by Congressman Dingell, who represents Michigan's 15th District.
"These buses represent part of Ford Motor Company's strategy to deliver transportation solutions that emit less CO2 and reduce our dependence on oil," said Ziad Ojakli, Ford group vice president, Government and Community Relations. "We are pleased to partner with the State of Michigan and Wayne County to place these buses into service so that locals and visitors alike will be able to experience this unique form of clean transportation. The buses also serve as a visible demonstration of Michigan's commitment to innovation and sustainable mobility."
"I'm so glad that people coming through Detroit Metropolitan Airport will see this fine example of American engineering when they visit," said Congressman Dingell, who played a critical role in securing the funding for the project. "Ford is building some of the finest green vehicles on the road today. The company proves time and time again it is committed to reducing greenhouse gases and producing efficient vehicles. The airport and SEMCOG are also to be commended for helping protect our environment and deserve credit for their fine work on this project."
"The Airport Authority is grateful to Ford, SEMCOG and especially Rep. Dingell, for bringing this opportunity to Detroit Metropolitan Airport," said Wayne County Airport Authority CEO Lester Robinson. "This cooperative partnership will provide the Airport Authority with new technology to support our ongoing commitment to reducing airport emissions and to transport customers in a more sustainable manner."
"We applaud the partners for providing these energy-efficient buses," said Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano. "This is another example of the commitment in Wayne County to alternative transportation fuels. Wayne County already is one of the leading governmental users of biodiesel, having purchased nearly one million gallons since 2006."
Ford was the first automaker to deliver hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles for real world use in several cities. Ford has delivered buses to Greater Orlando Airport Authority (GOAA), Orlando Convention Central District, SeaWorld Orlando, University of Missouri Raleigh, city of Las Vegas, the San Mateo (Ca.) County Transportation Authority, and 10 buses to Canada for use in Prince Edward Island, Ottawa and Vancouver. To date, 23 buses of the 30 built have been delivered to customers for commercial use.
Power for the Ford E-450 shuttle buses is provided by a 6.8-liter V-10 internal combustion engine that has been supercharged and modified to run exclusively on hydrogen fuel. DTW's new buses will be fueled by a hydrogen pumping station located in Taylor, Mich., located just east of the airport.
Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine Technology
Hydrogen fueled internal combustion engines have many advantages, including high efficiency, all-weather capability, and near zero emissions of regulated pollutants and greenhouse gases (CO2). The hydrogen internal combustion engine shuttle buses will provide valuable real-world experience as Ford continues its research into hydrogen power as an alternative fuel.
Hydrogen Part of a Broader Effort
Ford's strategy for sustainable mobility is built around multiple technologies. This flexible approach allows the company to meet goals for customer needs, environmental impact and shareholder interests. The strategy does not focus on a single solution, but offers a flexible array of options, including near-term technologies such as Ford's recently announced EcoBoost line of gasoline turbo direct injection engines. EcoBoost will allow Ford to deliver better fuel economy to millions of vehicles without sacrificing vehicle performance or affordability. Ford also continues to develop other alternative fuel technologies such as hybrids, clean diesels, biofuels, hydrogen fuel cells and plug-in hybrids.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With about 245,000 employees and about 100 plants worldwide, the company's core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.
About the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
Serving nearly 36 million passengers each year, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) is the largest airport in Michigan and among the 20 busiest air transportation hubs in the world. In addition to serving as the largest hub in the world for Northwest Airlines, the world's fifth largest airline by revenue passenger miles, DTW is home to sixteen additional airlines, including several low-cost carriers and six foreign-flag carriers. Altogether, DTW offers more than 1,200 non-stop flights per day to over 160 destinations worldwide. For more details, visit www.metroairport.com.
[Source: Ford]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Niralisherni 11:57AM (3/17/2008)
It is good to know that initiatives like this are being implemented for public transport. In India for instance, CNG is a popular alternative to regular petrol and diesel vehicles to reduce pollution on the roads and to reduce running costs. These attempts have made noticeable difference to places like Delhi. Around the Taj Mahal in Agra, the only autos that are allowed are electric vehicles. This is an initiative to protect the Taj Mahal. More civic authorities should be looking to adopt electric powered vehicles
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josh 3:00PM (3/17/2008)
I live about 20 mins from where that picture was taken. :)...
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Lad 3:11PM (3/17/2008)
I read where H2 is being used in a lot of these experimental projects; How efficient can H2 be when used in an ICE? You start out with an engine that is at best 25 to 30 percent efficient. And then run it on low energy density H2. Boy! unless there's something I'm missing here I would think a battery bus charged off solar cells would make more sense; other than producing less pollution, I don't see H2 as a mass usage fuel any time soon...just more future thought
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John baldwin 4:51PM (3/17/2008)
H2 ICE should be illegal, its do-lally, on a well to whel basis worse than diesel.
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Chris M 1:44AM (3/18/2008)
That low CO2 rate is only if you ignore the CO2 produced in making the H2 fuel. If made by steam reformed methane, the CO2 release is actually higher than from a compressed natural gas vehicle of the same size, due to the inefficiency of the reforming process. If the H2 were produced by electrolysis, the CO2 release could be even higher, due to the use of coal fired powerplants and the energy loss in electrolysis and the low efficiency of IC engines.
H2-ICE vehicles do cost less than H2FC vehicles, but much more than their petrol fueled cousins. H2 storage tanks don't come cheap! Due to the inefficiency of IC engines, the operating cost is exorbitant, which is why these are limited to a handful of government greenwashing demos.
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Pramod 3:47AM (4/21/2008)
I wana kno much about this
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