What's Happening?
The purchase of hydrogen buses, despite their underperformance compared to battery electric buses, reflects systemic issues rather than corruption. Public transit agencies often lack the strategic capability to evaluate new technologies, leading to decisions
based on outdated frameworks and external influences. In Canada, federal programs have historically supported hydrogen as a decarbonization strategy, creating a path dependence that transit agencies have followed. The Canadian Urban Transit Research & Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC) played a significant role in promoting hydrogen, benefiting from its position as a sole advisory body for federally funded fleet strategies. However, recent changes in federal funding programs and CUTRIC's governance have begun to address these systemic issues.
Why It's Important?
The reliance on hydrogen buses, despite their higher costs and lower reliability, highlights the challenges public transit agencies face in adapting to rapid technological changes. The systemic issues in decision-making processes can lead to inefficient use of public funds and slow progress in reducing emissions. Addressing these issues requires improving governance, procurement, and analytical capacity within transit agencies. The shift away from sole-sourced advisory bodies like CUTRIC and the introduction of more competitive frameworks for fleet decarbonization strategies are steps toward better decision-making.
Beyond the Headlines
The persistence of hydrogen bus purchases underscores the influence of industrial policy and cognitive biases in public sector decision-making. Regions with strong natural gas or chemical sectors have historically promoted hydrogen as a way to align climate goals with domestic industrial policy. This has created an ecosystem of stakeholders invested in hydrogen, despite evidence of its underperformance. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for developing more effective policies and ensuring that public funds are directed toward proven solutions.
