GLOBAL NEWS
Flixbus aims to launch Europe’s first long-distance service using a hydrogen fuel-cell coach within two years.
The German market leader has started talks on the project with German hydrogen propulsion specialist Freudenberg Sealing Technologies (FST) and also with various unnamed coach manufacturers.
Initial plans envisage a fleet of 30 test coaches before moving ahead with the technology.
Flixbus already operates three battery electric coaches from Chinese manufacturers BYD and Yutong on services in Germany and France, but their range of around 200km (125miles) between charges restricts their use. They operate routes linking Paris with Amiens and Frankfurt with Mannheim.
‘We are constantly asking ourselves how we can make travel even more sustainable,’ says Flixbus executive Fabian Stenger. Flixbus has pledged to reduce the carbon footprint of its fleet to zero by 2030.
The new coach will use a combination of batteries and hydrogen fuel-cells to achieve a range of at least 500km (310miles).
Refuelling with hydrogen will take around 20min. Flixbus has specified that the fuel-cell coaches should match the performance — especially acceleration — of Euro6 diesels.
‘A hybrid system that intelligent…
