Vienna, Austria’s capital, will replace 12 battery-electric buses with hydrogen hybrid models by mid-2025. The city’s transit agency, Wiener Linien, purchased ten Rampini buses with a 170kWh battery and fuel cell.
Reduced Fleet Size Due to Extended Range
The extended range of hydrogen hybrid buses allows Wiener Linien to reduce the number of buses. These buses can operate without recharging during service, according to the transit agency.
Additionally, no new charging infrastructure will be required for these hydrogen hybrid buses. However, a dedicated integrated electrolyser and refuelling complex is being built by Wien Energie, the city’s publicly-owned energy supplier, to serve the new vehicles.
Green Hydrogen Produced Locally
Wiener Linien emphasizes that it will use green hydrogen “which is produced locally in Vienna” to power the new buses. However, it remains unclear whether this hydrogen will be produced in accordance with the EU’s criteria for renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs) and at what cost.
Fuel-Cell Buses for Demanding Routes
In addition to the Rampini buses, Wiener Linien has also ordered ten fuel-cell buses from Portuguese manufacturer CaetanoBus. These buses will be deployed on the city’s 39A route starting from next year. The 39A route is described as “one of the most demanding lines in the city” due to its steep gradients, short stop intervals, and high passenger volumes.
Efficiency and Cost Concerns
Analysts raise concerns about the efficiency and cost of hydrogen vehicles compared to battery-electric ones. Fuel-cell electric vehicles require more renewable electricity due to efficiency losses during hydrogen production and use.
According to CATP, a French government advisory body, a hydrogen bus is 41% more expensive than a battery-powered equivalent. Fuel accounts for a third of the total cost.
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