Hyundai Trials Fuel Cell Bus in Munich, Germany

Hyundai’s hydrogen-powered Elec City Fuel Cell bus has hit German roads.

Confirming the news today (June 25), Hyundai said it is working with two German bus operators to conduct in-service trials of the bus in Munich.

Equipped with 180-kW high-capacity hydrogen fuel cell system, which consists of two 90-kW hydrogen fuel cells, the bus offers plenty of driving force, even in hilly road conditions.

The vehicle manufacturer said it will gather feedback from the bus trials to explore opportunities for zero emission vehicles in the European market.

Starting the trials, Hyundai yesterday, at OMV Hydrogen Refuelling Station in Wendling, Irschenberg, Bavaria, handed the test bus over to Busbetrieb Josef Ettenhuber and Geldhauser Linien- und Reiseverkehr – two bus operators.

The two bus operators will take turns running the Elec City Fuel Cell bus on existing routes in Munich, carrying passengers.

Commenting on the trails, Martin Zeilinger, Executive Vice-President and Head of CV Development Tech Unit at Hyundai, said, “With our leading fuel cell technology, Hyundai Motor is demonstrating how mass-produced Elec City Fuel Cell buses can help reduce CO2 emissions while providing clean mobility.

“Running these in-service trials will help us further develop our vehicles to meet European customer requirements.”

Hyundai plans to run demos with four more bus operators this year, collecting passenger and driver feedback along the way. Through the demo runs, the company expects to prove hydrogen-powered buses as a viable, efficient solution for commercial transportation.

The hydrogen-powered buses being used in various public bus routes in the country have avoided reduced carbon emissions by an estimated 7,700 tons to date compared to internal combustion buses.