KAMAZ, the largest Russian truck manufacturer and part of Rostec, continues expanding its eco-friendly model range, as it has presented a game changing product in the passenger transport segment, the first KAMAZ-6290 hydrogen fuel cell bus, at the COMTRANS-2021 international exhibition in Moscow. Rostec CEO Sergey Chemezov outline this is the next step in the search for alternative energy sources and in the development of modern environmentally friendly passenger transport.
“There is still a lot of work to be done. In 2022, we intend to test a prototype KAMAZ hydrogen fuel cell bus in the streets of Moscow, in the environment of actual operation. In case the relevant refueling infrastructure is set up and there is a demand for the new kind of eco-transport on the part of Moscow, we plan to provide for final assembly of hydrogen fuel cell buses at the Sokolniki Car Repair and Construction Plant in the capital of the country,” said KAMAZ Chief Automobile Designer Andrei Savinkov.
Bus chassis and body were assembled at NEFAZ, a company’s subsidiary in Bashkiria. Roof equipment was installed in the research and technology center of KAMAZ. The body is made of high-strength steel and safe plastic, supporting the required durability and safety in emergencies.
“We drew up design documents for the testbed hydrogen bus meeting requirements for electric buses, that is we used the KAMAZ-6282 electric bus supplied to Moscow as a guide,” added Savinkov. “The hydrogen bus boasts apparent advantages: it’s green, and there’s no diesel heater for a passenger compartment. What is more, compared with an electric bus running 70 km at a full charge, a hydrogen bus can travel 250 km, which makes it fit even for interurban transportation.”
The hydrogen power plant capacity is at least 45 kW. The bus is set in motion by ZF electric portal axle. The vehicle is equipped with the modern high-performance pneumatic braking system with EBS, ABS, ASR, and EPB, slope stop function, motion interlocking function for open doors, and a monitoring sensor for wear and tear of brake pads. Braking by traction electric motor with the regeneration system is also provided. Maximum speed is 80 km/h. Endurance is 250 km. Total passenger capacity is 80, with 33 seats.
Engineers from the KAMAZ Research and Technology Center have tried and made the hydrogen fuel cell bus as comfortable for passengers as possible. A two-zone climatic control system is provided in the compartment, including a separate one for the driver’s cabin. A mechanical ramp is mounted for unobstructed driving of low-mobile users into the compartment. Doors can be activated by the passengers themselves.
Source: KAMAZ/Rostec
