Foton rolls out hydrogen fuel cell for two-days bus trial on holiday island

A hydrogen fuel cell bus from Foton Mobility has been showcased on the holiday destination of Rottnest Island off the Perth coast.

The local distributor of hydrogen buses and electric trucks made by Chinese parent company Foton Motor, took a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) bus to Rottnest Island on Monday and Tuesday of this week to demonstrate the benefits of the technology.

Rottnest Island is a protected nature reserve and holiday destination located just off the Perth coast where quiet and clean transport options like FCEV buses could one day be operating.

The demonstration of the Foton FCEV bus was undertaken in partnership with Pinnacle Travel Group, a Western Australian family-owned tourism group.

“The showcase and trial, whilst short, was part of the Group’s intent to investigate the introduction of zero emissions transport not only on Rottnest, but throughout its operations,” said Luke Crispin, founding director of Pinnacle.

“The data that will be captured over the two days, running a 22km route around the Island, will be invaluable to us in making our plans for a broader adoption of low emissions transport vehicles.”

While hydrogen transport options are increasingly playing second fiddle to the increased efficiency and affordability of battery electric options, Foton nevertheless see a future for hydrogen buses.

“After running numerous ZEB trials and seeing two hydrogen buses in operation in Adelaide, we have no doubt these vehicles will be successful and return great efficiency and data over the two days on Rottnest,” said Iain Dorward, heavy vehicle sales manager for Foton Mobility Distribution.