Fuel cell bus operation at high altitude

In an effort both to address air quality problems relating to vehicle emiss ions in Mexico City and to ascertain the effects of the environment (air po llution and high altitude) on the operating characteristics of fuel cell po wered vehicles, a seminar/exposition and a demonstration on clean vehicles were held in Mexico City in June 1997. The seminar and exposition addressed the state of the art of several clean vehicle technologies, including one of the most promising: the proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell engine. The demonstration consisted of the display and operation of the world's fi rst full-size, zero emission, PEM fuel cell powered transit bus, which was built by Ballard Power Systems. This paper describes the bus performance in the atmospheric environment of Mexico City.