Key Findings
The FCmove®-SC fuel cell engine has made its series-production debut in the Solaris Urbino 12 hydrogen transit bus. This integration is the result of an extended long-term supply agreement between Ballard Power Systems and Solaris, focusing on a compact architecture designed for city transit duty cycles to improve vehicle integration and reduce operational costs.
Technical Details
The FCmove®-SC provides up to 80kW of rated power with a peak efficiency of 57%. Technical improvements over previous iterations include:
- Power Density: A 57% increase in volumetric power density achieved through integrated DC/DC packaging.
- Integration: An internal power controller and DC/DC converter reduce external interfaces.
- Thermal Management: Maximum radiator outlet temperature has been increased from 60°C to 75°C, allowing for reduced cooling requirements and better use of waste heat for cabin heating.
- Maintenance: A 40% reduction in total part count to simplify servicing.
- Durability and Safety: A specified lifetime exceeding 25,000 operating hours, freeze-start capability down to −30°C, and revised internal stack-enclosure geometry for passive hydrogen-related risk protection.
In the Solaris Urbino 12, the fuel cell acts as the primary energy source for a centrally mounted traction motor, supported by a traction battery for peak demand and regenerative braking energy storage.
Background & Context
Ballard has supplied fuel cell engines for over 2,500 buses globally, with total operations exceeding 300 million kilometres. To support these fleets, Ballard provides Fleet360°, a service offering that includes remote performance monitoring, data analytics, and maintenance planning.
Significance & Outlook
The new vehicle architecture removes the conventional engine tower to increase rear seating capacity and utilizes roof-mounted components to improve service access. By combining the FCmove®-SC with integrated Energy-as-a-Service solutions—including hydrogen production and refuelling—Ballard aims to lower the barrier for public transit operators to deploy zero-emission fleets at scale.
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