The H2Bus Consortium announced an agreement with Wrightbus for the supply of hydrogen fuel cell buses in Europe. The consortium is now on track to deploy 1,000 hydrogen-powered buses, along with supporting infrastructure, in European cities at commercially competitive rates. Wrightbus will enter the European market with a world-leading zero emission single-decker bus, supported by a world-class maintenance package.
This new offering is the most cost-effective truly zero-emission option available, with a single-decker bus price below €375,000 after funding, a hydrogen price between €5 and €7 per kilogram and a service cost between €0.25 and €0.35 per kilometer, all depending on operator and route requirements. The zero-tailpipe emission feature of the bus’ operation will be complemented by zero-emission hydrogen production from renewable energy sources, yielding a “well-to-wheel” emission-free transportation solution.
“Wrightbus is leading the way with the world’s first hydrogen double-decker bus and, together with the H2Bus Consortium, we can show the UK, Europe and the rest of the world what we have to offer,” said Buta Atwal, CEO at Wrightbus. “This agreement will deliver hundreds of hydrogen fuel cell buses to a wider European market, providing extensive range, acclaimed operational ability and a lower cost for operators compared to an equivalent electric bus. Public transport is being transformed in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic with a huge focus on zero emissions, so we feel privileged to be at the vanguard of this revolution alongside our other consortium members.”
Jacob Krogsgaard, CEO of Everfuel, also commented, “We are excited to work with Wrightbus to deliver the H2Bus Consortium’s ambition of the lowest cost truly zero emission fuel cell buses in Europe. Through our bus supplier Wrightbus, hydrogen cylinder and distribution module supplier Hexagon, hydrogen fuel cell supplier Ballard, and electrolyzer and refueling station supplier Nel, the consortium brings European engineering expertise to our streets. This will create and secure highly skilled jobs for the next generation of transport technology and fueling solutions in Europe.”
The first phase of the project, totaling 600 buses, is supported by €40 million from the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). The funding will enable the deployment of 200 hydrogen fuel cell buses and supporting infrastructure in each of Denmark, Latvia and the UK by 2023. In parallel, the H2Bus consortium will remain active in other clusters across Europe to reach the targeted 1,000 bus deployment.
Source: H2Bus
