Hydrogen bus to hit the road in Sunderland

Two hydrogen buses are set to hit the streets of Sunderland as part of a research and development programme bringing greener transport to North East England.

One North East has invested £314,000 to sponsor the ECO2Trans project, which is converting two electric buses into hydrogen vehicles using a fuel cell, battery and capacitor combination.

The University of Sunderland’s Institute of Automotive and Manufacturing Advanced Practice (AMAP) has joined forces with experts from Shanghai’s Shen Li High Technology and Cramlington-based AVID Vehicles to carry out the work.

The ECO2Trans project will allow North East companies, along with AMAP, to learn from international experts and develop their own solutions to the problems surrounding new low carbon and zero-emission technology.

The AMAP team purchased two second-hand, battery-powered electric buses which have been stripped down for new technology to be put into the rolling chassis.

AMAP Researcher Dirk Kok said: “Visitors from Shen Li have helped us to understand the fuel cell operation, train us in its use and to help mount the fuel cell in the buses. Now, we want to get one fully driving, and one will be completely revamped with a new motor and new electrics.

“These vehicles will act as a test bed to evaluate novel hydrogen technologies in vehicles and will enhance the region’s status as an important automotive research and development centre.”

Helen Armstrong, Manufacturing and Productivity Senior Specialist at One North East, said: “The ECO2Trans project will be another catalyst for the development of the power distribution and charging infrastructure for low carbon vehicles in the region.

“It is incorporating electric energy with using alternative energy storage mediums such as hydrogen, solar and wind power and complements the work already taking place in the Low Carbon Economic Area.”