The HyRoad is AC Transit's hydrogen fuel cell demonstration project. AC Transit joined the California Fuel Cell Partnership in 2000. Since then, we have secured over $20 million in grants to acquire and operate three zero-emission fuel cell buses, two fueling stations, and to test ten light-duty fuel cell vehicles. For a more complete program description, click here.

When hydrogen and oxygen combine, they create water and electricity. In a fuel cell, the protons from hydrogen pass through a membrane to the other side of the cell. The electrons from the hydrogen can't pass through the membrane, so they reach the other side of the cell trough a wire, producing electricity. The protons, electrons and oxygen from the air then combine to form water. For a more complete description, plus animation demonstrating the process, click here.

Hydrogen is as safe or safer than conventional fuels. First of all, hydrogen is not toxic and doesn't pollute. Second, hydrogen is 14 times lighter than air and dissipates rapidly. So if there's ever a leak, hydrogen doesn't pool, creating a fire hazard. It dissipates almost instantly-without polluting. Like any fuel, hydrogen is flammable and must be handled carefully. For more about hydrogen safety, click here.

Fuel cell vehicles are zero-emission vehicles. The only thing that comes out of the tailpipe is water vapor. No smog-forming nitrogen oxides. No particulates. No carbon dioxide. This means cleaner air. This means less global warming. This means healthier, quieter neighborhoods. For more on the environmental benefits, click here.

The HyRoad Program is being paid for with generous grants from:

• Bay Area Air Quality Management District
• California Air Resources Board
• California Energy Commission
• California Transportation Commission / Caltrans
• CalSTART
• U.S. Department of Energy
• U.S. Department of Transportation / Federal Transit Administration

• Chevron Corporation
• Stuart Energy

No. While restoring and improving service remains a top priority, the funds for the HyRoad program are granted to us for the sole purpose of demonstrating hydrogen fuel cell technology and may not be put to any other use.

AC Transit is deeply committed to improving the health of the environment and the quality of life in the communities we serve. We are determined to find technological solutions to environmental challenges. We are honored to have been selected as one of the lead transit agencies in the country to demonstrate this promising new technology.

Yes. Upon signing a third-party agreement to cover liability issues and completing an orientation and training program, other operators of fuel cell vehicles will be able to use the energy stations on AC Transit property. Already, members of the California Fuel Cell Partnership are using our Richmond Energy Station to fuel and extend the range of their vehicles.

AC Transit's on-site hydrogen production facilities are prototypes. As the technology develops, the Department of Energy believes a target price of $3 per kilogram (roughly equivalent in energy to one gallon of gasoline) is achievable. Since fuel cell vehicles are about twice as efficient as most internal combustion engine vehicles, at $3/kilogram, the cost per mile would become competitive with gasoline priced at $1.50/gallon.

Hydrogen is more versatile. It can be stored for long periods and used for longer distance travel-largely because hydrogen-powered vehicles can be refueled in a matter of minutes, rather than the many hours it takes to recharge the batteries in battery-powered electric vehicles.

That depends how the hydrogen is produced. When produced from natural gas, some carbon dioxide is released, but smog-forming nitrogen oxides are negligible. Overall, reforming natural gas is a cleaner process than burning natural gas-and far cleaner than burning diesel. When hydrogen is produced from water, the electricity might originate from a generator that pollutes, or-ideally-it might come from clean, renewable, solar or wind power. For more on the HyRoad Vision for the Future, click here.

AC Transit plans to operate its fuel cell buses in regular service on lines throughout the district. You can see the most recent fuel cell bus scheduling information.