ElDorado National, California (ENC) has partnered with City View Bus Sales & Service and the Stark Area Regional Transit Authority for the Canadian leg of the authority’s borrow a bus zero-emissions tour.
The ENC Axess-FC® hydrogen fuel cell-powered (HFC) bus led the six-stop tour, showcasing the potential of zero-emission transportation. This marked the first time the 40-foot ENC Axess-FC bus was displayed and operated in Canada.
The borrow a bus program was created to raise awareness about and generate support for innovative zero-emission technology in transit applications. In addition to a U.S. tour that was held in June, the Canadian phase of the tour began at the Toronto Transit Commission on July 26. Additional stops included Niagara Falls Transit; Halifax Transit (virtual), Brampton Transit, GO Transit and Mississauga Transit at City View Bus Sales & Service.
“ENC has been a leader in alternative fuel options for transit operations over the last 40 years,” said Jason Moore, vice president and general manager of ENC. “As the Canadian transit market transitions to zero emissions, the ENC Axess-FC bus is ideally suited given its industry-leading fuel range and service-proven chassis design. We thank SARTA and City View Bus for partnering with us on this opportunity to demonstrate its capabilities in cities and at transit authorities throughout Ontario, Canada.”
The Canadian government has pledged to help purchase 5,000 zero-emission buses over the next five years as the country works toward a net-zero emission future. The ENC Axess-FC is equipped to meet and exceed the 25 percent Canadian Content requirement for transit buses sold into the provinces of Ontario and Quebec. Its non-corrosive 100 percent 304 Grade stainless steel body construction and fully composite exterior skins are designed for the corrosive Canadian transit market environment, according to ENC.
ENC says its ENC Axess-FC is the only hydrogen bus in the industry that’s federally certified for 3-point seat belts and electronic stability control. The Axess-FC was the first hydrogen fuel cell bus to complete Federal Transit Administration Altoona testing and has passed both physical side impact and roof crush tests.
Less than half the hydrogen fuel capacity was utilized for all the ride-and-drive demonstrations, showcasing the efficiency of the ENC Axess-FC bus. Representatives from City View Bus Sales & Service, BAE Systems and Ballard were present at stops on the tour. As a safety precaution, all presentations were held in accordance with local health and safety guidelines.
