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The Future of Public Transport – In Pursuit of Zero Emissions

Jaimie Levin

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AC Transit

• Serving 1.5 million

people in 13 cities

• 67 million passengers

• 650 buses

• 2,190 employees

• $309 million budget

• 105 lines (27 transbay)

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Addicted to Oil*

• Less than 5% of Population Consumes 25%

of World Oil

• 25% to 30% of World’s Carbon Emissions

• Import 60% of The Oil We Consume

• 67% Consumed by Transportation

[Sources: * George Bush/ Data: U.S. DOE; Energy Information Agency]

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0

500,000

1,000,000

1,500,000

2,000,000

2,500,000

3,000,000

1960 1970 1980 1990 2000

United States VMT Growth

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0

5,000,000

10,000,000

15,000,000

20,000,000

25,000,000

30,000,000

1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

Bay Area Transit Market Share

Total Person Trips/Weekday

Total Auto Person Trips/Weekday

Total Transit Person Trips/Weekday

Source: SF Bay Area MTC

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Metropolitan AreaPublic Transit Market

Share: 20001990

Change: 1990 - 2000

New York/Northern NJ/Long Island 24.9%

Chicago/Gary/Kenosha 11.5%

San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose 9.5%Washington/Baltimore 9.4%

Boston/Worcester/Lawrence 9.0%

Philadelphia/Wilmington/Atlantic City 8.7%

Honolulu 8.3%

Seattle/Tacoma/Bremerton 6.8%

Pittsburgh 6.2%

Portland/Salem 5.7%

California - Transit Share 5.1%California - Drive Alone Share 71.8%United States - Transit Share 4.7% 5.3% -0.5%

United States - Drive Alone Share 75.7% 73.2% 2.5%

Travel-to-Work Market Share

Source: U.S. Census Journey to Work: 2000

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Getting Started with Hydrogen

• ZEbus Test – November 1999

• NeBus Test – 2000

• California Fuel Cell Partnership – 2000

• ISE/UTC Thor Bus – 2003/2004

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• An electrical generator

• NOT a battery

• A chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen

• Emits only water vapor and heat

• 120 kW to 200 kW of output

What’s A Fuel Cell?

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Opening Dedication – March 13, 2006

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26 Partners – $21 Million

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What Motivates Us?

• Public Health: urban centers/people at risk

• Quality of Life: quiet buses

• Cost Savings: Reduced life cycle costs

Hydrogen’s Potential Value –

• Sustainability: Diversified and

Renewable Energy Supply

• Energy Independence (National Security)

• Reduction in Global Warming

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Why Transit?

• The Real World vs. Super Computer Unlimited Variables

• Government as Early Adopter and Change Agent (R&D; Tech Validation)

• Centralized Fueling and Maintenance

• Professionally Trained Staff

• Public Exposure

• Energy Benefits of Using Transit

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Our Customers• 200,000 Passengers

• 500,000 @ Events

• Clean

• Quiet

• Smooth

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18 Line

Line Pull-out Pull-in Total

HoursPlatform

Miles Miles/Kg Kg/Day

18 451a 1203x 19:12 199.06 7 28.4418 516a 1223x 19:07 199.06 7 28.44

18 611a 1143p 17:32 170.74 7 24.39

2.5 mile grade at approximately 5%

Albany

Berkeley

Oakland

UC Campus

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Emissions Reduction – 3 Buses• 316Tons of CO2

(40% – 50% Net Reduction, Well-to-Wheel)

• 3,330Pounds of NOx

• 40 Pounds of Particulates

• 21,000 gallons of diesel saved

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Performance

Mileage 90,000 miles

Fuel Economy

70% to 100% better (8,000 lbs. handicap)

Reliability

6,900 MBRC (March 2008)

Power18% Grades;

Cruises at 65 mph

BrakingRegenerative Braking –

Smooth

Acceleration

Smooth Electric Propulsion

Integrated Technology

Cheaper, Smaller, More Powerful

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Next-Generation Design – 2009• Several Thousands Pounds Lighter

• Better Energy Storage

• Lower profile

• 55 mph

• 12% Grade

• 8 to 12 Buses

• $2.2 Million

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Fuel Cell Cars• 9 Hyundai Tucson/Kia Sportage SUVs

• Operated by AC Transit Road Supervisors (150 mi/day)

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Fuel Cell Flashlights

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Oakland Energy Station

• Made from Natural Gas

• 150 kg/day; 366 kg Storage

• Solar Offsets

• 20,191 kg to date

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Solar Power – 775,500 kWh/Yr

Semin

ary A

venue

BART

Steam Reformer

• 273,000 kWh/Yr

Solar Panels

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Advanced Demo – $37M• SF Bay Region ($27M)

• State of California ($4M)

• Federal ($3.5M)

• Regional Air District ($2M)

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Bay Area

• 5 Transit Agencies

(>2,500 vehicles)

• 12 New Buses

in 2009

• Expanded Fueling

(360 kg/day)

• Shared Service

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Evaluation

• In Partnership with NREL, DOE, FTA

• Ongoing study

• Compared to Control Fleet of Diesel/CNG Buses

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Outreach/Training

• Employee Training

(400 Drivers; 176 Mechanics)

• 1st Responder Training (400)

• Community Outreach (8,500)

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Education

• HyTEC Curriculum

DOE: $350,000

1st AC Transit: $130,000

2nd AC Transit: $300,000

• Conference/Learning Center

Chevron: $380,000

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High School Education

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Commercialization Thresholds

1. Performance (Reliability and Durability)

2. Cost (CapEx and Life Cycle)

3. Packaging (Weight – 8,200 lb delta, and size)

4. Fuel (Purity, Cost, Speed, STORAGE)

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Fuel – #1 Challenge

Richmond – Electrolysis De-commissioned 1/4/08

Potential Satellite – Emeryville (150 kg)

Oakland Reformer – Upgrade (from 150 kg

to 300 kg)

Potential Satellite – Hayward

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Government Role

• Early Adopters – Fund Advanced

Demonstrations in Support of

Technology Validation

• Support Evaluation and Education

• Bridge the Funding Gap in

Support of Deployment

• $49 MM Over Four Years –

Not Enough

• Re-authorization of

Transportation Bill

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www.actransit.org/environment