BAE Systems' new Gen 3 electric drive system to power first fleet of ENC-built hydrogen buses

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By Luke Willetts - 24th April 2023

BAE Systems' new Gen 3 electric drive system to power first fleet of ENC-built hydrogen buses

A rendering of the new ElDorado Axess EVO-FC hydrogen fuel cell powered bus

USA – The power and propulsion solutions business of BAE Systems Inc based in Endicott, New York, will fit its new Gen3 electric power and propulsion system into three ElDorado National California Inc* (ENC) Axess EVO-FC zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell (HFC) buses to operate in Rochester, New York. The system is integrated with Plug Power’s (Plug Power Inc**) 125kW Progen hydrogen fuel cell engine and will also provide fuelling infrastructure for the vehicles. Importantly, this marks the first BAE Systems’ Gen3 electric drive system to be installed into a hydrogen fuel cell bus.

This hydrogen fuel cell bus order is being part funded by the Federal Transit Administration’s Low or No Emission Vehicle Grant Program (NoLo).

This announcement comes off the back of last year’s long-term supply agreement between BAE Systems and ENC.

Steve Trichka, Vice President and General Manager of Power & Propulsion Solutions at BAE Systems said:

We are proud to accelerate Rochester’s clean energy goals with turnkey hydrogen solutions using technology made right here in New York. Our Gen3 system will deliver highly efficient and sustainable transportation operations through advanced clean hydrogen innovation.

More information on BAE Systems’ fuel cell electric strategy can be found here: https://gettozero.com/fuel_cell.php

*El Dorado National California Inc is a subsidiary of the REV Group (a specialist in special vehicles including ambulances and fire trucks) based in Riverside, California.

**Plug Power Inc is a producer of electrolysers, motors and fuel cells based in Latham, New York, USA.