Officials of Ballard Power Systems, which built the fuel cells, said the buses had improved in acceleration and reliability during their time in Chicago. Simmons said he enjoyed driving the high-tech vehicle and found that it performed as smoothly as the standard bus. In fact, Kruesi reported that drivers were lining up to drive the fuel cell routes because of the high profile of the new technology. The Joyce Foundation, in cooperation with a coalition of grantees, Partners for Environmental Transportation, turned one bus into a moving billboard advertising its environmental and public health benefits.
Fuel cells are the cleanest technology available or in development for buses.
Using the Chicago findings, Ballard unveiled the next generation of fuel cell buses last October. That's all the more reason for Chicago to continue to play a pioneering role in this technology, which provides power while minimizing the impact on the environment. The Joyce Foundation. All Rights Reserved.