Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus Trials To Continue in Australia

Western Australia will continue to play its part in a ground-breaking international hydrogen fuel cell bus trial.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said the State Government's participation in the two-year trial of the clean, green technology would be extended by a further 12 months to help bed down the technology.
"I am pleased to confirm that the State Government has committed an additional $1.75million to extend the hydrogen fuel cell bus trial," Ms MacTiernan said.
"This will bring the State's investment in the project to approximately $10million.
"The trial will help bring about the commercial production of these buses - hopefully by 2010."
The Minister said the three hydrogen fuel cell buses, which had covered more than 160,000km and carried more than 200,000 passengers since the trial began in 2004, would continue to run on normal Transperth service routes.
The project was part of the Carpenter Government's commitment to reduce the State's oil dependence and deliver a green public transport system fuelled by renewable energy.
"Hydrogen fuel cell buses emit no greenhouse gases or smog-creating emissions at the tail-pipe, and are predicted to be cheaper in the long-term to maintain and operate than internal combustion engines," Ms MacTiernan said.
"In only two years, these three buses have prevented 272 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions."
The Minister said the project had earned the State Government recognition as a national leader in renewable energy development.
The hydrogen fuel cell trial has won the following:
* 2005 Greenfleet Trophy; * 2005 Banksia Environmental Award for Government Leading by Example for a Sustainable Future; * 2004 Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Outstanding Achievement Award; and * Sustainable Transport Coalition's 2004 Government Innovation Award as part of the Sustainable Transport Energy Program (STEP).
Perth remains the only city in the southern hemisphere to participate in the international trial.
Eight other cities - Hamburg, Luxembourg, Stockholm, London, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Reykjavik and Madrid - are also continuing the trial, which Beijing has now joined.
Ms MacTiernan said the Federal Government, through the Department of Environment and Heritage, had provided funding of $350,000 towards the trial extension, and negotiations were currently under way to increase this contribution to $700,000.