Engineering the Ford H2 IC Engine Powered E-450 Shuttle Bus

As a part of a continuous research and innovation effort, Ford Motor Company has been evaluating hydrogen since 1997 as an alternative fuel option for vehicles with internal combustion engines. Hydrogen fuel is attractive in that it is the cleanest fuel. Hydrogen, when used in an internal combustion engine, produces an exhaust emission consisting mainly of water vapor, with no carbon dioxide and trace amounts of other regulated pollutants. Hydrogen can be produced from renewable sources which will help reduce the dependence on foreign oil. The implementation of the hydrogen powered IC engine is seen as a strategy to help transition from a petroleum economy to a hydrogen economy and drive development of hydrogen storage, fueling infrastructure and other hydrogen related technologies. To help demonstrate a commercially viable hydrogen internal combustion engine (H2ICE) powered vehicle application, Ford has fully engineered a demonstration fleet of (30) E-450 shuttle buses with a 6.8L Triton engine that runs on hydrogen. These vehicles will be supplied to partners for a 2-3 year evaluation to help obtain real world usage experience. This paper will review the design, development and engineering that went into the hydrogen fuel storage and delivery system, hydrogen monitoring system, telematics and vehicle engineering validation program.