Ford Delivers Two Hydrogen-Fueled E-450 Shuttle Buses to Detroit Metropolitan Airport

Ford Motor Company and U.S. Congressman John Dingell and the Wayne County Airport Authority announced the delivery of two hydrogen-fueled Ford E-450 shuttle buses to be used for transporting airline passengers between terminals at Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW).

Today’s delivery is the result of a partnership involving Ford, the Wayne County Airport Authority and the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG). The project is being funded with a Department of Energy grant that was supported by Congressman Dingell, who represents Michigan’s 15th District.

Ford was the first automaker to deliver hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles for real world use in several cities. Ford has delivered buses to Greater Orlando Airport Authority (GOAA), Orlando Convention Central District, SeaWorld Orlando, University of Missouri Raleigh, city of Las Vegas, the San Mateo (Ca.) County Transportation Authority, and 10 buses to Canada for use in Prince Edward Island, Ottawa and Vancouver. To date, 23 buses of the 30 built have been delivered to customers for commercial use.

Power for the Ford E-450 shuttle buses is provided by a 6.8-liter V-10 internal combustion engine that has been supercharged and modified to run exclusively on hydrogen fuel. DTW’s new buses will be fueled by a hydrogen pumping station located in Taylor, Mich., located just east of the airport.

Hydrogen fueled internal combustion engines have many advantages, including high efficiency, all-weather capability, and near zero emissions of regulated pollutants and greenhouse gases (CO2). The hydrogen internal combustion engine shuttle buses will provide valuable real-world experience as Ford continues its research into hydrogen power as an alternative fuel.

Hydrogen Part of a Broader Effort

Ford’s strategy for sustainable mobility is built around multiple technologies. This flexible approach allows the company to meet goals for customer needs, environmental impact and shareholder interests. The strategy does not focus on a single solution, but offers a flexible array of options, including near-term technologies such as Ford’s recently announced EcoBoost line of gasoline turbo direct injection engines. EcoBoost will allow Ford to deliver better fuel economy to millions of vehicles without sacrificing vehicle performance or affordability. Ford also continues to develop other alternative fuel technologies such as hybrids, clean diesels, biofuels, hydrogen fuel cells and plug-in hybrids.(read more)

[source: Ford]