Design of a Fuel-Cell Hybrid City Bus for the Italian Historical Towns

A feasibility study related to the realization of a fuel-cell medium-size bus, has been committed by the Tuscany Region with the support of the municipality of Florence and Bologna, and realized by the association ONLUS I2T3 (Industrial Innovation Through Technological Transfer), ENEA, the Italian National Agency for Energy and Environment, and CAM, Carrozzeria Autodromo Modena, an Italian company leader in the field of eco-compatible solutions in the public transport sector. A hybrid traction system has been chosen, to reduce costs and to boost the vehicle efficiency thanks to regenerated energy during deceleration. The paper deals with the general strategic framework, the mission, the vehicle design and, finally, costs and benefits of FCHEVs, compared to conventional buses and hybrid-electric buses with motorgenerators. Preliminary conclusions are that increased costs of FCHEVs in production and operation would be absorbed by zeroing in external costs related to noxious emissions from conventional and HE vehicles.