Las Vegas, NV (KXNT) - The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) on Thursday unveiled two new hydrogen fuel cell electric buses to its fleet. The buses are the first hydrogen fuel cell electric buses to be operational statewide.
The vehicles were funded with a $3.8-million Low or No Emission Grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The grant also provides funding to train staff to maintain and operate the new technology.
The new fuel cell buses are powered by compressed hydrogen gas. The fuel cell combines hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity through an electrochemical process. The only resulting by-product is water.
Advocates say that the hydrogen fuel cell technology has numerous advantages compared to other power sources. Hydrogen fuel cells don’t release greenhouse gases and create little to no noise while the bus is idle and in motion. Also, fuel cell vehicles can be fueled in less than fifteen minutes and can operate for longer periods of time.
Seven additional 60-foot, hydrogen fuel cell buses have been ordered and will be delivered to Southern Nevada in the fall of 2024.