Local environmental benefits of fuel cell buses—a case study

This study presents a quantitative assessment of the local environmental benefits of using fuel cell buses in comparison with EURO 5 diesel buses and compressed natural gas buses along a central bus route in Göteborg, Sweden, in 2006. The influence of fuel cell buses on the ambient concentration of NOx, particulates, and noise pollution is assessed and evaluated in monetary terms, and compared with their capital and fuel. In addition, the greenhouse gas reduction potential is assessed. The results show that the present local environmental benefits are much smaller than the annualized purchase cost of a prototype fuel cell, but the local monetary benefits will be meaningful to consider when comparing with the incremental costs of a mass-produced fuel cell bus.