December 06, 2002

To promote research and development of cleaner, renewable and more fuel efficient forms of transportation and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the Province of Manitoba, the Government of Canada, Hydrogenics Corporation, New Flyer Industries, Maxwell Technologies, Dynetek Industries and ISE Research today announced a new $8 million hybrid fuel cell transit bus project.

"Manitoba is committed to addressing climate change in a meaningful manner," said Premier Gary Doer. "This initiative has the potential to benefit from the fact that Manitoba has the lowest hydroelectricity rates in North America. We are pleased to be able to build on Manitoba's advantage."

The three-year project will build on hydrogen fuel cell technology with the development of an advanced hybrid electric fuel cell bus. Fuel cells using hydrogen emit no greenhouse gases, creating a cleaner, healthier alternative to conventional transportation. The Winnipeg bus will use ultra-capacitors for energy storage and as a peak energy source to improve vehicle efficiency. This project is the first of its kind in North America.

"Manitoba is committed to promoting research and development into new efficient technologies and clean, renewable forms of energy," said Energy, Science and Technology Minister Tim Sale. "This project complements our recent efforts on wind, solar and methane capture initiatives that will help to make Manitoba a leader in addressing climate change."

New Flyer's bus design will showcase a heavy duty fuel cell system utilizing proton exchange membrane cells, Dynetek's hydrogen storage tanks, Maxwell Technologies' ultra-capacitors for electrical energy storage and ISE Research's control technologies for energy management and systems integration.

"Transportation is one of the contributors to greenhouse gas emissions," said Transportation and Government Services Minister Scott Smith. "We are pleased to partner with the federal government and the private sector to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions through this innovative project."

The engine and drive system developed during this project should be commercially available in four to five years. The potential for employment and economic growth is substantial, said Smith, with research and development jobs being created immediately.

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