"This has been an ambitious project, the first of its kind in Canada," said Chomiak. "It’s fitting to do this research and development right here in Manitoba where we are a leader in clean energy and alternative fuel development. It’s also an important partnership with California and the beginnings of a strong economic future in manufacturing advanced- technology buses."

"Hydrogen technologies offer tremendous potential to benefit both our economy and the global environment," said Reg Alcock, president of the Treasury Board and minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board. "The Government of Canada is pleased to be a partner in this research, which will help to ensure Canada continues to be a leader in bringing this exciting technology to the world."

"If you want to combine innovative technology and cold-weather testing, this is the city to do it," said Gord Steeves, city councillor, St. Vital, on behalf of Mayor Sam Katz. "I want to thank the province for their support of this initiative. I am sure transit customers enjoyed the ride on the H2 bus and they should be proud to know major components were designed and built right here in Winnipeg." 

The bus used locally-produced hydrogen fuel and was serviced and supported by Red River College staff. It ran on compressed hydrogen gas produced with a mobile refuelling system from Stuart Energy using clean Manitoba electricity and was refueled using a Winnipeg-based Kraus Global dispenser.

The bus body was built by Manitoba’s New Flyer Industries and shipped to ISE Corporation in San Diego where the 10-cylinder Ford engine and hybrid-electric drive systems were installed. The engine was modified to burn pure hydrogen gas, powering an electric generator which powered motors at the drive wheels.

"As a non-profit agency supporting technical development for all Manitoba’s vehicular manufacturers, the Vehicle Technology Centre is pleased to help showcase Manitoba capabilities," said Rick Suche, vice-president of the centre and one of the project sponsors. "We look forward to realizing the benefits of early leadership among our industry partners."

The $1.4 million hydrogen hybrid internal combustion engine (H2-ICE) bus, owned by SunLine Transit Agency, underwent initial testing in California before being shipped to Winnipeg for cold-weather tests. The cold-weather demonstration was supported by funding support and in-kind contributions totalling more than $600,000 from the Government of Canada, Province of Manitoba, Vehicle Technology Centre, Winnipeg Transit, ISE Corporation, Kraus Global and Stuart Energy.

"With this project, we can see that hydrogen is becoming more than a vision of clean energy," said Jeff Zabudsky, president of Red River College. "As the first Canadian college to be involved in a major hydrogen vehicle demonstration project, we are pleased to provide our expertise and to lead the way in transferring knowledge needed to turn hydrogen into an everyday reality."

Partners in the project included:

• Natural Resources Canada — funding support

• Province of Manitoba — funding support and project co-ordination

• Vehicle Technology Centre — funding support

• New Flyer Industries — bus chassis development

• Red River College — refuelling and bus operation support

• City of Winnipeg Transit Department — regular passenger service cold-weather operation

• ISE Corporation, California — development and integration of the hybrid system

• University of Manitoba Transport Institute — project management and consumer acceptance survey

• Stuart Energy — mobile hydrogen production system

• Kraus Global — hydrogen-dispensing system

• SunLine Transit Agency, California — owner of the bus.