Milestones
Alternative Fuels
Vision: Alternative Fuels as Bridge to Hydrogen Zero Emission & Battery Electric Buses
2024
2024
Liquid hydrogen station was commissioned with a 15,000 Gallon liquid hydrogen tank capacity and a public station that dispenses 700 bar
2024
2021
2021
- SunLine awarded a grant to build a liquid hydrogen station
- SunLine, SoCalGas, and STARS Technology Corporation partner on a first of its kind demonstration project that placed a commercial prototype STARS Clean Hydrogen Generator at SunLine’s hydrogen fueling station in Thousand Palms, California. The research project, called “H2 SilverSTARS,” produces clean hydrogen to fuel SunLine’s fleet of hydrogen fuel cell electric buses and support further expansion
2019
2019
SunLine begins fueling hydrogen from the Electrolyzer
2019
2018
2018
Addition of latest Battery Dominant H2 Electric Fuel Cell Bus (FC7)
2017
2017
- SunLine and CTE host International Fuel Cell Workshop
- SunLine announces grant for an extra 5 H2 Zero emission buses and the largest H2 generating station in the country (Electrolyzer)
2017
2016
2016
Placed into service Battery Electric Bus (E1) in January • Powered by BYD - Build Your Dreams
2015
2015
Unveiled the 8th Generation American-Made Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus (FC4)
2015
2014
2014
Unveiled the 8th Generation American Made Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus (FC4)
2011
2011
- Unveiled the 7th generation American made fuel cell bus
- H2 dispenser tested and issued temporary approval for sales by Department of Food and Agriculture’s Division of Measurement Standards. Completion of type approval by end of 2011
- Completed Indio replacement (1) CNG compressor and upgraded existing compressor controls with integrated internet monitoring
- Cumulative H2 production @ 44,376 kgs in Thousand Palms
2011
2010
2010
- Unveiled the 6th generation fuel cell bus
- Agency added to fleet the first “Buy America compliant” H2 Fuel Cell bus in the nation
- Agency received “Clean Air Excellence” award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Begin new replacement CNG compressor and control upgrade for Indio station
2009
2009
- New fast-fill CNG dispensers installed in both Thousand Palms and Indio public fueling stations
- Installed three additional H2 high pressure storage vessels
- Hydrogen Dispenser “Type Approval”
- Began working with California Dept. Weights & Measures Needed for Hydrogen fuel sales
2009
2008
2008
- 56 CNG Buses (BAT engine technology, meets 2010 EPA)
- Upgrade CNG Fueling to 3,600 psig
- Agency added to its fleet second H2 Fuel Cell bus
2007
2007
Infrastructure Development
- 5000 psi dispenser upgrade to include (2) hose; one for autos and one for heavy duty buses
- Upgrade H2 compressor to a duplex unit (faster storage recovery time)
- Installed card lock system (24/7 access)
- Designated as a California Hydrogen Highway Network (CaH2Net) fueling station member
2007
2006
2006
- Installed commercial ATR natural gas reformer 228 Kg/day
- Acquired ownership of public fueling station, SunFuels, providing alternative fuels; therefore, becoming the first transit agency in the United States to own and operate a CNG and hydrogen generation and dispensing station
2005
2005
Van Hool Fuel Cell Bus
- Accumulated > 70,000 miles on vehicle to date
- UTC fuel cell – 120 kW PureMotion™
- Hybrid-drive – ISE System
- H2 storage – 5,000 psig, 50 kg
- Battery pack – ZEBRA® 53 kWh, regenerative braking
- Fuel economy – 7.33 miles/kg average at SunLine
- Range – 300 to 350 miles
2005
2004
2004
First HICE Hybrid Bus (Experimental)
- Accumulated in-service miles - 85,000 miles to date
- Ford 6.8 L V10 ICE, 190 hp - ISE/Siemens Hybrid-Drive
- H2 Storage – 5,000 psig, 58 kg
- Energy storage – Maxwell ultra-capacitors, two packs, total energy stored is 0.6 kWh max
- Fuel Economy – 4.29 miles/kg average
- Canadian winter test, emissions testing
- Range – 220-250 miles
ATR natural gas reformer demonstration prototype 216 Kg/day
- Upgraded to add 5000 psi dispensing
Advanced Technology Cummins-Westport Innovations 5.9L SI lean-burn B Gas Plus Engine – 2 HCNG fueled buses in revenue service
- Modified for HCNG fuel
- Fuel blend 20% H2/ 80% CNG
- Match NG ICE performance
2002-2003
2002-2003
Thor/ISE 30’ H2 Fuel Cell Hybrid
- First fuel cell hybrid bus
- Accumulated 8,800 miles
- Total fuel cell run time 640 hrs
- UTC fuel cell – 60 kW, ISE hybrid-drive
- H2 storage – 3,600 psig, 25 kg
- Battery pack – 48 12 VDC PbA, regenerative braking
- Fuel economy – 5.92 miles/kg average
- Range – 175 to 200 miles
Experimental Technology Cummins L10 Diesel Engine 2 Hythane® fueled buses in revenue service
- Modified for Hydrogen/CNG blended fuel
- Hythane® blend - 20% H2 & 80% NG (by volume)
2002-2003
2000
2000
On-site H2 fueling
- H2 blend (Hythane®)
- Step to future zero emission bus fleet
- Electrolyzer technology demonstration for H2 production 84 Kg/day
EXCELLISiS (Ballard) H2 First Zero Emission ZEbus
- 13 month demo program
- Accumulated 14,900 miles
- Total fuel cell run time 865 hours
- Fuel cell engine – 205 kW, direct electric drive
- H2 storage – 3,600 psig, 41.3 kg
- Battery pack – none and no regenerative braking
- Fuel economy – 4.96 miles/kg average
- Range – 225 miles, estimated
1994
1994
- Arrival of 40 CNG Buses (early engine technology)
- Transit and public CNG fueling site
1994
1992
1992
SunLine Board seeks to preserve Coachella Valley air quality and votes to transition fleet to alternative fuels
1990
1990
Agency received "National Public Transportation Innovation Award: Best Application of a New Technology”
1990
1977
1977
SunLine Transit Agency was established