Improving Hydrogen Technology: Ankai Brightens the National Bus Brand
18 June 2024
On June 16, 2024, Anhui News reported on the development of Ankai’s hydrogen fuel cell buses titled “Ankai: Improving Hydrogen Technology to Brighten the National Bus Brand”.
Anhui Ankai Automobile Co., Ltd. is a listed company specializing in the production of various high-end, medium-sized, light buses, and specialized vehicles. Since beginning research and development on hydrogen fuel cell bus technology in 2004, the company has the National Engineering Research Center for Electric Bus Integration and developed multiple hydrogen fuel cell buses suitable for various environments and operating conditions.
Reporter Ding Jian stated, “We are now riding on a hydrogen fuel cell bus. This bus has a driving range of 400 kilometers, which can meet the needs of high-intensity city bus operations. Currently, Hefei, Lu’an, and other cities have opened hydrogen energy bus lines.”
According to reports, this hydrogen fuel cell bus offers advantages such as high efficiency, low energy consumption, long driving range, and intelligent networking. It can accelerate from 0 to 50 kilometers per hour in just 10 seconds. Additionally, it provides ample passenger space, with a 10.5-meter long hydrogen fuel cell bus capable of accommodating 80 passengers, equivalent to a traditional 12-meter long bus.
Zhu He, the director of the New Energy Technology Research Institute of Anhui Ankai Automobile Co., Ltd., explained, “During the research and development process of this bus, we followed the concepts of platformization, generalization, integration, and intelligence. Compared to our previous hydrogen fuel cell buses, it has made significant improvements in terms of power, economy, networking, and intelligence.”
Hydrogen energy is a clean energy source. To seize the development opportunities of the hydrogen energy industry, Ankai began researching hydrogen fuel cell bus technology in 2004, relying on the National Engineering Research Center for Electric Bus Integration established within the company. To achieve breakthroughs in hydrogen fuel cell technology tracking and reserves, with the support of various provincial policies, Ankai took the lead in establishing two provincial key laboratories: the Anhui Electric Bus Engineering Laboratory and the New Energy Commercial Vehicle Engineering Technology Research Center. It also undertook the provincial science and technology major project “Research and Demonstration Application of Hydrogen Fuel Cell City Buses”.
Chen Shundong, the vice president of Anhui Ankai Automobile Co., Ltd., stated, “During the research and development of the hydrogen fuel cell project, we invested nearly 100 million yuan annually. We cooperated with Tsinghua University and Hefei University of Technology, introducing advanced technologies from universities for industrialization, further promoting hydrogen energy products to enter the market more quickly.”
Seizing the significant opportunities brought by the development of Anhui’s automobile industry, Ankai has achieved multiple technological breakthroughs in hydrogen fuel cell bus motors, electronic controls, vehicle system integration, intelligent networking, and other aspects through cooperation with local enterprises and research institutes in Anhui, such as Mingtian Hydrogen Energy. Currently, the operating mileage of Ankai’s hydrogen fuel cell buses in service has exceeded 250,000 kilometers.
From the laboratory to market application, Ankai has now opened up a pathway for scientific research achievements to be practically implemented. Nearly 60 “Ankai-made” hydrogen fuel cell buses are currently operating in Anhui every day.
Huang Liping, the chairman of Anhui Ankai Automobile Co., Ltd., said, “We will focus on new energy and intelligent networking, increase research and development investments in pure electric and hydrogen fuel cell power, hybrid power, and intelligent driving. We will develop products suitable for user scenarios, vigorously expand overseas markets, and make due contributions to the construction of a strong automobile province.”
Source : www.chinabuses.org
Editor : Lucy
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