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NFI Group unveils its new hydrogen fuel cell-electric bus

NFI Group subsidiary New Flyer Xcelsior Charge fuel cell transit bus

ST. CLOUD — NFI Group Inc., a bus and coach manufacturer and company involved in electric mass mobility solutions, announced that its subsidiary New Flyer of America Inc. and New Flyer Industries Canada ULC unveiled its next generation, zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell-electric Xcelsior CHARGE FC heavy-duty transit bus.

The Xcelsior CHARGE FC uses hydrogen and fuel-cell technology to create electricity and to charge batteries for zero-emission extended-range, reportedly saving 85-175 tons of greenhouse gas per year from tailpipe emissions compared to a traditional diesel bus.

Built on the Xcelsior® platform with over 16,000 buses delivered to date, New Flyer reports that its battery-electric and fuel cell-electric models have surpassed over 15 million electric vehicle service miles.

New Flyer’s Xcelsior CHARGE FC reportedly incorporates four distinct technology advancements to deliver a robust, long-range, hydrogen fuel cell-electric bus, including a lighter and more efficient heavy-duty fuel cell power module that is easier to service; recyclable, high-power batteries delivering a longer range of over 370 of miles of highway driving without refueling; a redesigned waterproof (IP 67 and IP 69 rated) battery enclosure providing improved serviceability; and an electric drive traction system with up to 90% energy recovery.

“The Xcelsior CHARGE FC includes the latest technology innovations. The new streamlined design is easier to service and maintain, delivers longer range at highway speeds, improves energy recovery, and is smart city-capable, making it the most advanced hydrogen fuel cell-electric bus available on the market,” said Chris Stoddart, President, North American Bus and Coach, NFI. “With the Xcelsior CHARGE FC now added to NFI’s market-leading EV and AV vehicle lineup, NFI is undeniably leading a new mobility era, delivering unmatched performance and sustainability benefits to transit operators.”

New Flyer manufactures its energy storage system enclosures in its bus production facilities. The battery packaging, developed by New Flyer, utilizes a waterproof enclosure design that is lighter and easier to maintain, reportedly decreasing the number of parts by 90%.

“More and more cities are making the commitment to 100% zero-emission fleets and Xcelsior CHARGE FC provides an ideal complement to battery-electric buses for agencies wanting to integrate the reliable long-range performance of hydrogen fuel cell-electric buses,” said Jennifer McNeill, Vice President of Public Sector Sales and Marketing, New Flyer and MCI. “The Xcelsior CHARGE FC also advances our effort to continue driving the adoption of zero-emission mobility with a safe, scalable, and streamlined approach to the zero-emission manufacturing process. In turn, we simplify training for our production teams and those of transit agencies across North America to continue supporting reskilling, upskilling, and workforce development to ensure successful zero-emission deployments.”

The Xcelsior CHARGE FC is available in 40-foot and 60-foot lengths, and both models meet the Federal Transit Administration Model Bus Testing Program at Altoona, Pennsylvania.