Hydrogen-powered vehicles are the fuel-efficient future of sustainable public transportation. By making the switch to hydrogen fuel, we're doing our part to conserve natural resources, reduce reliance on foreign fuel sources, bring thousands of jobs to the Midwest, improve the health in our cities and create a greener, cleaner future for our citizens.

Who We Are

A key initiative of the Renewable Hydrogen Fuel Cell Collaborative, the Midwest Hydrogen Center of Excellence is a regional ambassador for the advancement and adoption of hydrogen-powered, zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) in Midwestern public transit.

Why We Exist

Our goal is to aid in the progression and adoption of hydrogen fuel cell technology and its infrastructure in the Midwest, making it a viable option for our transit agencies while taking us closer to a sustainable, zero-emission future.

What We Do

  • Educate transit authorities on hydrogen fuel cell technology
  • Connect transit authorities with funding sources to enable hydrogen-powered bus adoption
  • Serve as a resource to transit authorities to assist in overcoming the obstacles of implementing a new technology. A new roadmap released in conjunction with the Stark Area Regional Transit Authority lays out a plan of action to deploy 135,000 fuel cell electric vehicles, build 250 hydrogen stations and create 65,000 new jobs over next 15 years.
  • Work with legislators and aid in R&D to remove barriers to adoption and make hydrogen-powered vehicles a viable option for Midwest transit agencies

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By making the switch to hydrogen fuel, transit agencies are doing their part to conserve natural resources, improve the health in our cities and create a greener, cleaner future for our citizens without compromising on vehicle performance. Individual fuel cells can be assembled into stacks to increase power, making them a scalable solution for full-size passenger buses and smaller paratransit applications.

Clean

With clean water as the only emission, hydrogen-powered buses release zero pollutants or greenhouse gases into the air, putting the health of our people and planet first.

Efficient

Fuel cell electric-powered buses are 2-3 times more efficient than those with internal combustion engines and will eliminate the consumption of 9,000 gallons of fuel over the lifetime of the vehicle.

Safe

Hydrogen is a non-toxic, extensively tested and proven fuel that is just as safe as the gasoline used to power everyday vehicles.

Flexible

Hydrogen fuel cell buses fill up in minutes and are the most flexible option for zero-emission transportation. Like diesel buses, they operate on a long-duty cycle of 12-16 hours without re-fueling.

Quiet

With only a quiet hum, hydrogen-powered buses are more enjoyable for the riders and reduce noise pollution in the cities they serve.

Proven Success

More than 80 fuel cell buses are in operation or planned around the country, including in Ohio, Michigan, California, South Carolina, Texas, Delaware, Hawaii, Alabama and New York. Hundreds of fuel cell buses are also running routes through Europe and Asia. In many countries, the fuel cell bus has become the standard for mass transit because the buses can be used interchangeably with diesel buses, but are zero emission and completely quiet. Read more program success stories below.

Ready to Go Hydrogen?

Learn more about how the Midwest Hydrogen Center of Excellence can help connect your transit agency with transformative funding opportunities.

Want to Learn More?

Midwest

Stark Area Regional Transit Authority (Canton, Ohio)

By 2021, SARTA will have 12 hydrogen fuel cell buses in operation, creating the second largest hydrogen fuel cell bus fleet in the country. The Canton, Ohio-area transit authority received more than $10 million in two grants from the Federal Transit Administration’s Low or No Emission Vehicle Deployment Program and over $1 million in state funding to purchasethe first seven hydrogen fuel cell buses and install a large hydrogen refueling station on property.

The Ohio State University Campus Area Bus Service (Columbus, Ohio)

Under an agreement between SARTA and CABS, The Ohio State University operated one of SARTA's hydrogen fuel cell buses on the Columbus campus for 12 months. The bus was maintained by the University's Department of Transportation and Traffic Management and was refueled on campus at the area’s second hydrogen refueling station located at The OSU Center for Automotive Research (CAR).

International

As of 2015, more than 80 hydrogen fuel cell buses were in operation or were about to begin operation throughout major cities across Europe, with an additional 144 to be deployed beginning in 2018. In Asia, hydrogen fuel cell buses are hitting the road across China, and Toyota is planning a 100-bus deployment for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Ready to take the next step towards a sustainable, zero-emission transportation future? A key initiative of the Midwest Hydrogen Center of Excellence (MHCOE) is to connect transit agencies across the region with state, federal and private funding opportunities to ensure that hydrogen fuel cell bus deployments are economically feasible and sustainable.

Connect with us today to learn more about available funding opportunities and how the MHCoE can walk with you through the funding process.

Midwest Hydrogen Center of Excellence

1600 Gateway Blvd SE
Canton, OH 44707

dswickard@sartaonline.com
330-477-2782 Ext. 546

Events

Brown Bag Educational Sessions for 2019 Coming Soon! 

As much as 20 percent of all electric vehicles worldwide will be powered by fuel cells by 2030.

Bosch Press Release

“Along with enabling us to cut our fuel costs by as much as fifty percent in the years ahead, this project will drive investment, research, business development and job creation in Stark County and across our state.”

Kirt Conrad, Executive Director/CEO, Stark Area Regional Transit Authority
Stark Area Regional Transit Authority

Hydrogen is a central pillar of the energy transformation required to decrease CO2 emissions and limit global warming to two degrees Celsius.

McKinsey & Company on behlaf of the Hydrogen Council

"Fuel cells have the greatest long-term potential to solve society's environmental and energy concerns."

Steve Center, Vice President, Connected and Environmental Business Development Office, American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

Toyota is committed to fuel cell electric technology as a powertrain for the future because it's a clean, scalable platform that can meet a broad range of mobility needs with zero emissions.

Bob Carter, Executive VP for Automotive Operations at Toyota
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