Three hydrogen-powered shuttle buses have been unveiled in Ottawa as part of a drive to increase clean energy use.

Air Liquide Canada has established the first permanent hydrogen fuelling station in the city and non-profit organisation ATFCAN helped to develop the three hydrogen-powered Ford 450 shuttle buses.

The moves form part of the Hydrogen on the Hill project that is aiming to publicise and promote the use of hydrogen fuel and fuel cell technology as a legitimate alternative to petrol-powered vehicles.

All the buses are equipped with technology designed to monitor their performance so that the success of the project can be effectively measured.

"There's a telematic system on each vehicle and data are remotely transmitted so that it can be analysed," said Marc Hubert of ATFCAN, CanWest News reports.

It has been suggested that the technology will save in the region of five tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions over the course of the three-year trial.

Sources:

Air Liquide Canada Unveils Initial Hydrogen Fueling Station, 14/10/07
http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release.do?id=780492

Parliament Hill takes a drive on the environmental side, 19/10/07
http://autos.canada.com/news/story.html?id=dbbd97b2-4a59-4d0d-9fe9-4459c9c8d048
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