After being all-in on battery electric buses, SacRT is now considering hydrogen fuel cell buses as well. SacRT is hardly alone in this. Long transit routes, or operations challenged by weather extremes, may be better suited for hydrogen than battery electric. Though the quality of electric buses was low initially, it appears that most of these issues are being solved. There are some hydrogen fuel cell buses in operation in the US, for example, OCTA (Orange County Transportation Authority), but there is less experience with hydrogen.

A challenge for hydrogen is that a significant portion of the hydrogen fuel currently available is generated from fossil fuels, so is not really zero emission, just displacing the emissions from the bus to the grid. Over time that issue should be solved, with solar and wind powering the hydrogen generation plants, but at the moment, it is a challenge.

SacRT is obligated by state law to have a fully zero-emission bus fleet by 2040, as is true of every transit agency in the state. SacRT’s Zero-Emission Bus Rollout Plan indicates the direction for the agency, however, dated early 2022, it emphasizes battery electric. The February 26, 2024 presentation to the SacRT Board (SacRT Strategic Priorities and 2024 Outlook) mentions hydrogen on page 9:

• Hydrogen offers longer range/shorter refueling refueling times, but currently at twice the price
• SacRT has potential locations for hydrogen production/storage/distribution
• Begin Hydrogen Feasibility Analysis & Business Plan
• Applying for $110M Low-No Grant to convert existing Bus Maintenance Facility for ZEV operations (this could include hydrogen, but is not specified)

STAR supports the exploration of hydrogen fuel cell buses. We also recognize that the more types of buses and the more types of fuel in the fleet, the more difficult it is to manage and maintain the fleet. We hope that SacRT will keep the SacRT Board and public informed as hydrogen exploration progresses.

Of course, STAR also thinks that overhead wire, as used so successfully in San Francisco and some other cities, should be considered for high-frequency, high-ridership routes. The light rail system is already zero emissions, running on overhead wire, and buses can be equally effective.

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