fuel-cell buses began operating in Beijing on an experimental basis in 2006. Three fuel cell buses, made by Daimler in Germany and purchased with a grant from the U.N. Development Programme, were the first fuel cell buses to enter operation in China. The technology has not gained broader use in the city because air pollution reduced the efficiency and operating life of fuel cells. The first Brazilian hydrogen fuel cell bus prototype began operation in São Paulo in 2009. The hydrogen bus was manufactured in Caxias do Sul. The programme, called "Ônibus Brasileiro a Hidrogênio", includes three additional buses. The town of Whistler in British Columbia, Canadaowned and operated the largest fuel-cell bus fleet in the world, having been put in operation for the 2010 Winter Olympics. However, the costs were too high, and the program halted in 2015. In Aberdeen, Scotland, the Aberdeen Hydrogen Bus Project had 10 hydrogen fuel cell buses operating, the largest fleet in Europe. Japans use Olympics 2020 to boost hydrogen technologies and 100 fuel cell buses will be in operations for the event
The Fuel Cell Bus Club is a global cooperative effort in trial fuel cell buses. Ford began leasing E-350 shuttle buses in late 2006. It conducted some trials:
1998
In Chicago and Vancouver, there were two-year three-bus demonstration projects. The six buses in those trials, which used an earlier version of Ballard fuel cell than the Fuel Cell Bus Club's trial and New Flyer Industries 40 foot low floor F40LF bodies, carried more than 200,000 passengers and traveled over. The 3 Vancouver units were deactivated, some were sold back to Ballard, who made the fuel cells and the others were converted to diesel- electric hybrids and eventually scrapped.
2004–2006
A two-year, three-bus trial took place in Oakland and California. During this period, AC Transit and SunLine Transit Agency have been operating three buses and one bus respectively. The initial trial had shown promising results and was extended until new buses were delivered. Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority operated 3 buses Manufactured by Gilig Corp of Hayward California which were equipped with Ballard fuel cells. VTA reported in the press that these buses were too expensive to operate and that they would not continue with their trial.
The FCHV-BUS is manufactured by Hino Motors and Toyota Motors and has been trialled in many Japanese cities as part of the Japan hydrogen fuel cell project.
2003–2004 – Tokyo, one year and four months one-bus demonstration operated by Toei Bus.
2005 – Expo 2005Aichi, six-month eight-fleet trial as inter-site shuttle. During Expo, 8 FCHV-BUSes carried one million visitors and traveled about 130,000 kilometers.
