BAE Systems to Provide Electric Drive Systems for First Fleet of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Buses in Rochester, New York
March 29, 2023 | Business WireEstimated reading time: 1 minute

BAE Systems, a leader in heavy-duty electric propulsion, will supply its next-generation electric power and propulsion systems for three hydrogen fuel cell buses in Rochester, New York, allowing them to run free of emissions. The company will provide its Gen3 electric drive system for ElDorado National (California)’s Axess® EVO-FC™ hydrogen fuel cell bus. This technology will advance Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority’s goal of reducing its carbon footprint and transitioning to a zero-emission fleet.
The order is funded by Federal Transit Administration’s Low or No Emission Vehicle Grant Program, which aims to support the transition to low- and zero-emission public transit fleets. It is also the first hydrogen fuel cell bus order to benefit from BAE Systems’ Gen3 electric drive system.
BAE Systems’ electric propulsion system is integrated with a 125kW Progen hydrogen fuel cell engine from Plug Power to deliver a comprehensive, efficient, and reliable emission-free solution. Plug will also provide fueling infrastructure to support the project. BAE Systems and Plug’s collaboration enables turnkey hydrogen solutions for transit agencies looking to deploy fuel cell electric buses.
“We are proud to accelerate Rochester’s clean energy goals with turnkey hydrogen solutions using technology made right here in New York,” said Steve Trichka, vice president and general manager of Power & Propulsion Solutions at BAE Systems. “Our Gen3 system will deliver highly efficient and sustainable transportation operations through advanced clean hydrogen innovation.”
The Gen3 Series-H system includes an electric motor, energy storage system, and modular power electronics to create a clean mode of transportation for the buses. BAE Systems’ latest technology uses advanced materials with lightweight, compact components to increase electrical efficiency for extended drive range. Its flexible design allows for a simplified approach to system integration for best-in-class vehicle power and performance.
BAE Systems has been at the forefront of commercializing hydrogen fuel cell technology since first integrating fuel cell powered buses in 1998. Building on 25 years of innovation and proven technology, the company has more than 15,000 propulsion systems in service on transit buses around the globe.
The Gen3 systems will be produced at the company’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Endicott, New York, which support more than 1,300 high-tech jobs in the state.
Testimonial
"Advertising in PCB007 Magazine has been a great way to showcase our bare board testers to the right audience. The I-Connect007 team makes the process smooth and professional. We’re proud to be featured in such a trusted publication."
Klaus Koziol - atgSuggested Items
Blaize, Technology Control Company Partner to Power Saudi Arabia’s Next-Generation AI Innovation Infrastructure
09/17/2025 | BUSINESS WIREBlaize Holdings, Inc., a leader in programmable, energy-efficient edge AI computing, and Technology Control Company (TCC), a leading technology solutions provider in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), announced a strategic partnership to advance Saudi Arabia’s AI innovation infrastructure and accelerate its digital transformation goals.
BLT Joins Microchip Partner Program as Design Partner
09/17/2025 | BUSINESS WIREBLT, a U.S.-owned and operated engineering design services firm announced it has joined the Microchip Design Partner Program.
Curing and Verification in PCB Shadow Areas
09/17/2025 | Doug Katze, DymaxDesign engineers know a simple truth that often complicates electronics manufacturing: Light doesn’t go around corners. In densely populated PCBs, adhesives and coatings often fail to fully cure in shadowed regions created by tall ICs, connectors, relays, and tight housings.
On the Line With… Podcast: UHDI and RF Performance
09/17/2025 | I-Connect007I-Connect007 is excited to announce the release of a new episode in its latest On the Line with... podcast series, which shines a spotlight on one of the most important emerging innovations in electronics manufacturing: Ultra-High-Density Interconnect (UHDI).
Altair, Wichita State University’s NIAR Sign MoU to Accelerate Aerospace Innovation
09/16/2025 | AltairAltair, a global leader in computational intelligence, and Wichita State University’s (WSU) National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR), one of the world’s leading aerospace research institutions, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to advance innovation across the aerospace and defense industries.