Fenton Mobility Products has selected global electric vehicle (EV) company Ideanomics to build five hydrogen-powered, zero-emission transit buses for the Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA) in New York.
Fenton is a New York-based provider of modification and adaptation of wheelchair vans and handicap vans.
The order from RGRTA is valued at over $2.2 million and will be covered by funds from a $23 million grant that the transportation agency received from the U.S. Department of Transportation to deploy hydrogen fuel cell buses.
Under the partnership, Fenton will provide a pilot hydrogen fuel cell battery electric-powered high-headroom van to the RGRTA, which will undergo the FTA-mandated Altoona durability testing period. Once the pilot vehicle meets all requirements, production will begin on five additional vehicles to be delivered by the first quarter of 2024.
US Hybrid, a subsidiary of Ideanomics, will assemble the hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system and manufacture associated parts at its facility in Torrance, California, while Fenton will carry out the installation of hydrogen propulsion kits into the vans.
The state of New York has established a target for several transit systems, including RGRTA, to completely convert fleets to zero-emission vehicles by 2035, and hydrogen is seen as a significant clean energy solution to accomplish these goals. Rochester is the fourth biggest city and market in New York.
“As we work to meet New York State’s goal of having a fully zero-emission bus fleet by 2035, we are focused on identifying the zero-emission solution that meets our operational needs and provides the level of reliability that our customers expect,” said RGRTA CEO Miguel Velázquez. “I thank the New York State Department of Transportation for the grant funds we received for this effort. We look forward to working with Ideanomics and Fenton Mobility to evaluate the effectiveness of hydrogen fuel-cell technology in our fleet and help New York achieve its climate change goals.”
Ideanomics is a New York-based company focused on accelerating the commercial adoption of zero-emission vehicles. US Hybrid is a California-based firm that specializes in designing and manufacturing power conversion systems for medium/heavy-duty electric, hybrid and fuel-cell commercial buses and trucks.
