A US$32 million project was launched yesterday to help reduce the
cost of fuel-cell bus (FCB) technology, one of the most promising
methods for developing emission-free public transport.
Jointly funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Global
Environment Facility (GEF) and United Nations Development Program,
the project will lead to trials of FCBs - along with their hydrogen
refueling stations - in Beijing and Shanghai.
Over the next five years, the project will help public transit
companies in each municipality obtain six FCBs and use them for a
total of 1.6 million kilometers.
The knowledge and experience gained through the project will enable
technology suppliers to identify cost reduction opportunities and
the municipal public transit operators to prepare for larger FCB
fleets, according to Ma Songde, vice-minister of science and
technology.
"Finally, a detailed strategy for large-scale FCB implementation in
China will be defined," Ma said.
Fan Boyuan, vice-mayor of Beijing, applauded the scheme, saying it
will greatly assist the Chinese capital's battle to curb transport
pollution.
According to Fan, a reduction in exhaust emissions, which can be
attributed to the city's stepped up administrative measures to
combat the problem, is one of the major reasons behind improved air
quality.
About 60 percent of last year's days are regarded as having "fine
air quality."
"Beijing is steadily replacing petrol with clean energy such as
liquefied petroleum gas in its public transit system," Fan
said.
"We hope many FCBs are on the roads during the 2008 Olympic
Games for the sake of better air quality."
China's bus project is part of a global GEF strategy, which
supports FCB development in developing countries.
In
cooperation with GEF projects and other similar proposals in
industrialized countries, GEF wants to reduce the expense of FCBs
so they can become more cost-competitive, a ministry source
said.
The ministry also disclosed yesterday in a document that requests
for FCB proposals for Beijing and Shanghai were expected during
autumn.
"Bids for different combinations of fuel cell engines, bus chassis
and body manufacturers, and fuelling system vendors will be sought
and encouraged. It is preferred that a single supplier will be
contracted for the buses and fuelling system, with appropriate
sub-contracting arrangements," it said.
(China Daily March 28, 2003)