Bad news for Tesla and America: Tesla’s worst rival switches to hydrogen, and already has a patent

from El Diario 24, October 4, 2024

Auto manufacturer Build Your Dreams (BYD) has teamed up with industry leader US Hybrid Corporation to produce a first-of-its-kind battery-electric bus and filed a patent for a hydrogen electrolyzer. The novel engine will be put to work at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, which is not a small job, considering the airport sees 21 million passengers a year.

BYD zero-emission green-powered bus deployed under Hawaii’s Clean Energy Initiative

Hawaii’s Clean Energy Initiative (HCEI) is being boosted with a new hydrogen fuel cell battery-electric bus. Hawaii aims to be 100% powered by renewable energy by 2045 – 20 years in the future—and now the program has a flagship vehicle that will advertise the island state’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and meeting sustainable energy objectives.

Tour and transportation company Robert’s Hawaii, the largest employee-owned company in the state, has been selected to operate the bus between the airport terminal and the car rental facility.

BYD’s hydrogen fuel cell battery-electric engine will feature a battery-electric platform that integrates fuel cell technology to eliminate dependency on charging. The vehicle will be manufactured between California and Connecticut.

Senior Vice President of BYD Heavy Industries, Macy Neshati, said:

“We are ecstatic to partner with US Hybrid. Together, we can bring innovative ideas to the state of Hawaii and deliver clean, renewable transportation solutions.”

Hawaii is the perfect location for developing hydrogen fuel

Hawaii is ideally set up as a powerhouse in the development of hydrogen and alternative green fuels. The Federal Highway Administration has already assigned numerous fuel corridors providing hydrogen fuel stations and electric chargers.

Additionally, the Hawaii Center for Advanced Transportation Technologies and the US Air Force Research Laboratory have an agreement under which the US Air Force has been conducting hydrogen demonstrations at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam to highlight its applications as an alternative fuel.

Dr. Abas Goodarzi, PhD., P.E., the founder of US Hybrid, which will be working on the hydrogen-powered bus with Build Your Dreams, said:

“With the state aggressively pursuing clean power, we have an ideal backdrop to showcase the most efficient zero emission technology in the industry. The fusion of US Hybrid’s fuel cell technology and BYD’s electric bus platform will shape the future of Hawaii and ultimately, change the world.”

BYD obtains patent for a hydrogen electrolyzer

BYD’s green hydrogen project got underway in 2024 after BYD successfully secured its patent for a hydrogen electrolyzer.

The State Intellectual Property Office confirmed that it had obtained the patent, “Electrolyzer End Plate, Electrolyzer, and Hydrogen Production Equipment.” From the title, it’s evident that BYD is considering hydrogen energy from the upstream production direction while mapping out hydrogen energy technology routes.

More about the companies involved in the hydrogen bus: BYD and US Hybrid Corporation

Here’s some background info on the players behind Hawaii’s new green “mascot” bus:

Build Your Dreams – BYD

BYD is the largest manufacturer of electric vehicles in the world, and the dominant force in battery-electric buses particularly. The large motor manufacturer has nearly 40,000 buses operational across South and North America, Europe, and Asia.

BYD has a presence in other tech sectors such as medium and heavy-duty trucks, forklifts, solar power, and energy storage, among others. BYD is also among the largest manufacturers of rechargeable batteries.

BYD is a publicly traded company with 60% of its stock held by US investors. The single largest of these is Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway with a 9.9% share.

US Hybrid Corporation

The US Hybrid Corporation is into fuel cell, electric, and hybrid powertrain systems for medium and heavy-duty trucks, buses, monorails, and metro and municipality vehicles. Notable projects include hybrid street sweepers for the New York Department of Sanitation, a range of fuel-cell vehicles for Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii, and a fuel-cell street sweeper for Caltrans.

It’s an exciting time for public transport vehicles as Build Your Dreams moves forward in its pursuit of green-fueled buses. The unique model on show at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu will surely draw attention to the brand’s innovation and commitment to reducing carbon emissions.