GE's Durathon Battery Helps Power Electric Bus

Researchers at GE Global Research have achieved a first step in reducing the cost of clean fuel, zero emission buses, with a vehicle powered by GE's new Durathon™ battery in tandem with a lithium battery and a hydrogen fuel cell. This promising development of a new energy management system could help accelerate both fuel cell acceptance and electrification of bus fleets, delivery trucks and other larger, heavy-duty vehicle fleets enabling clean vehicle technologies.

In this short video, GE engineer Tim Richter explains how the company's Durathon batteries fit into the on-board energy management system. He also takes us on a drive to see the bus in action.

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  Science & Technology

[CodeBandet]

that would out last most cars..

[theGekkoST]

Son let me tell you something... These batteries electrocute people, not explode. And they will last 10 years on a trickle-charge; which, on an average car takes 12 hours. If you use the quick-charge like most people you're cutting multiple years off its lifespan.

"Hydrogen isn't as plentiful as oil" -this is where you lost all credibility. Hydrogen is THE MOST ABUNDANT element in the universe and costs roughly the same as oil today. Only difference is, hydrogen's byproduct is water vapor.

[Ken Heslip]

Dead mechanic? Production batteries don't explode like gas/hydrogen can. And they don't say how long the battery lasts....usual life is 10 years now. Hydrogen isn't as plentiful as oil and requires electricity to be produced...not so efficient.

[theGekkoST]

So when the battery dies in say 5-7 years, what is the cost of replacing it... Like ~$12000 and a dead mechanic? Real efficient...

Electric vehicles are by no means a long term solution, they are only a side-step around the the issue and are a decent wast to the environment too. Once hydrogen fuel cell's become easier to use it will become the defacto of vehicle power.

[elitegunslinger]

Where is the fight? This is a public bus video right?

[LongTimeAtheist]

Unfortunately the battery powered bus should stay experimental for a long time. It doesn't make sense. The electric bus on the other hand does

If the cost of the batteries and their maintenance is lower than the cost and maintenance of overhead trolley lines. Then maybe it does make sense. You have to average the cost over the entire fleet

Somehow I think the trolley lines win long term. Just a gut feeling though

I am an electric car owner and love it. Just not seeing batteries in buses yet