Ford Motor Company has announced the delivery of five Ford hydrogen shuttle buses next year to the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and the Clean Cities Coachella Valley Region (C3VR) of California. The E-450 shuttle buses, powered by V-10 internal combustion engines and compressed hydrogen will help the tribe to move visitors efficiently and cleanly around the Palm Springs area.
According to Richard M. Milanovich, Tribal Chairman, “The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians is proud to be the first non-industry participant with Clean Cities and we look forward to exploring viable fuel-efficient transportation alternatives through this relationship.”
Palm Springs is an area known for its interest in renewable energy since it contains the largest wind farms in California. For instance, one wind farm on the San Gorgonio Mountain Pass in the San Bernardino Mountains contains over 4,000 wind turbines that provide enough electricity for the entire Coachella Valley.
Ford is also expanding its hydrogen shuttle bus program beyond the Palm Springs desert as it has sold eight of the E-450 shuttles to the State of Florida to use around the Orlando area.