Van Hool A330FC (North America)
| Van Hool A330FC | |
|---|---|
| |
| Years of manufacture | 2005 to 2010 |
| Length | 40 feet |
| Width | 102 inches |
| Power/Fuel | Hydrogen Fuel Cell Hybrid |
The Van Hool A330FC (North America) is a hydrogen fuel cell hybrid powered transit bus. The first buses were built for AC Transit and SunLine Transit Agency in 2005—both agencies were looking to test fuel cell powered buses. The first three buses being used by AC Transit in a large urban area, while the other bus is being used by SunLine in less dense, hot and dry desert climate. The A330FC was unveiled at the 2005 APTA Expo in Dallas, Texas.[1]
The fuel cell and hybrid components were integrated by ISE Corporation. UTC Power provided the 120 kW PureMotiom particle exchange membrane fuell cell that is used as the bus's primary source of power. The electricity generated powers two Siemens electric motors that drive through a combining gearbox at the rear. This is augmented by electricity stored in nickel sodium chloride batteries. Regenerative braking is used to charge the batteries. The bus boasts quiet operation and zero emissions. The maximum speed of the bus is 50 mph. SunLine reports an average fuel economy of 7.8 miles/kg, and a range of 300 to 350 miles.
The North American A330FC shares the same name as its European counterpart, however they differ in design. The European A330FC is longer at almost 43 feet and has three axles
Van Hool replaced this model with the A300L FC which, as the name suggests, is based on the A300L and thus has more in common with Van Hool's North American product range.
Specifications
Hybrid System
Motor
- Siemens ELFA
Fuel Cell
- UTC Power PureMotion 120 kW
Energy Storage
- ZEBRA NaNiCl 53 kWh
Suspension
- Full air
Axles
Brakes
- Four wheel disc
Steering
- ZF variable ratio
Operators
United States 
- AC Transit - Oakland, Alameda & Contra Costa Counties, CA
- Connecticut Transit (CT Transit) - Stamford, Hartford & New Haven, CT
- SunLine Transit Agency - Coachella Valley, CA
References
- Van Hool A330FC Specifications
- SunLine Clean Fuels Fleet, sunline.org, retrieved on 2010-06-24