Hydrogen buses are becoming more and more popular every year. Wrocław, Poznań, Gdańsk, Piła – these are just some of the large and smaller Polish cities that decide to include hydrogen buses in low-emission public transport fleets. Let’s look at the possibilities offered using hydrogen as a fuel in public transport.
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Over the years -, most sectors of the EU economy recorded a significant and regular decline in GHG emissions. These include electricity generation (-497 million t CO2e), the manufacturing industry (-248 million t CO2e), and fuels in the residential sector (-134 million t CO2e). This is certainly not the case for transportation, where there has been a steady increase in emissions.
Hydrogen will play a significant role in transforming existing transportation models and reducing pollution, as it has more potential in long-distance, truck, and bus transportation than BEVs due to shorter refueling and longer range.
Hydrogen as a fuel in urban bus transport has several advantages over available alternatives. Therefore, interest in including hydrogen buses in city transport fleets is growing every year.
The average range of hydrogen fuel cell buses (FCEV) can exceed 350-400 km, which translates into increased vehicle efficiency and reduced refueling frequency. For comparison, the average range of a BEV bus is approximately 250 km. However, depending on the model and manufacturer, this value may be correspondingly higher.
The key advantage of hydrogen buses is the short refueling time, which is on average 15 minutes. Charging time for battery buses is longer. Depending on the method, it may be 3-5 hours when using a plug-in charger or approximately 1 hour when using a pantograph.
Considering the use of only zero-emission hydrogen, the operation of FCEV buses does not involve emissions at any stage, and the combustion products are only water and heat. Experts estimate that in this way, a hydrogen bus saves up to 800 tons of CO₂ emissions over a 12-year life cycle compared to a combustion vehicle. The key to determining the zero-emission nature of battery buses is the source of electricity used to charge them.
Contrary to appearances, the discomfort we experience with loud noise affects not only the proper functioning of the hearing organ but also the entire body – both in terms of physiology and mental health. Electromobility in public transport is not only about reducing emissions but also about making everyday life more comfortable.
That’s right… electromobility. We often forget that hydrogen fuel cell buses are also electric vehicles. Fuel cells, most often located on the roof of the vehicle, operate based on reverse electrolysis, generating electricity while the vehicle is in use.
The fuel cell is powered by hydrogen from tanks installed in the vehicle and oxygen from the air. These then enter a chemical reaction that produces energy and steam. The current is then routed to the drive and battery. Its function is to support the fuel cells during periods of increased energy demand. In addition, energy can be supplied to the battery through recuperation from the braking process.
The only by-products of the reaction are heat and water. Thanks to this, we are dealing with emission-free transport.
Concerns about the safety of using hydrogen vehicles are still valid, even though they have been operating on roads in Europe for a long time. Of course, regardless of whether we are dealing with a hydrogen, combustion, or electric vehicle, there is always a risk of failure resulting from a fault, system dysfunction, or collision. It is crucial to anticipate such cases at the time of vehicle design.
The use of hydrogen buses is safe primarily because the systems are designed to prevent gas leaks and the risk of ignition during a collision.
Importantly, the very properties of hydrogen mean that in certain cases it can be safer than the well-known and commonly used conventional fuels. Hydrogen is 14 times lighter than air, so when it leaks, it quickly rises in the air (in open space), reducing the risk of ignition. Hydrogen is also characterized by a high auto-ignition temperature in air (585°C). In terms of safety, this is a significant advantage, because at such a high temperature it is more difficult to initiate the combustion process of hydrogen with air without the use of an additional catalyst. For comparison, the auto-ignition temperature of gasoline is approximately 215°C[1]. Unlike it, hydrogen does not pose the risk of creating and igniting a puddle under the vehicle because of a leak.
It is not without reason that the attention of decision-makers in Europe is primarily focused on the implementation of hydrogen in urban transport. Also in Poland, it is planned to build infrastructure and ensure the share of zero-emission buses in the fleets of public transport companies.
The consolidated text of the Law on Electromobility and Alternative Fuels indicates that local government units, excluding municipalities with a population of less than 50,000, must ensure that the share of zero-emission or biomethane-powered buses in the fleet of vehicles in use is at least 30% from . According to the Polish Hydrogen Strategy, at least 500 FCEV buses are to be in operation in Poland by , and after their number is to increase to 2,000.
Poland has one of the three largest bus fleets of all European countries. Of these, in , 12,231 city buses were registered[2]. At that time, approximately 88% were diesel vehicles, and there was not a single hydrogen fuel cell bus in the country.
Over the last three years, we have observed a significant increase in interest in clean technologies in urban transport. One of the reasons is subsidies for the purchase of hydrogen buses for Polish cities.
The key to introducing hydrogen buses and increasing their number on the streets of Polish cities is to ensure stable supplies of hydrogen fuel at competitive prices. The source of hydrogen itself is also important. The EU’s goal is to use low- and, above all, zero-emission hydrogen, i.e. produced in the electrolysis process using energy from renewable sources. Hydrogen produced in this way guarantees decarbonization at all stages of operation.
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A solution that integrates hydrogen production from renewable energy sources, storage, and distribution is a hydrogen hub.
The hydrogen transport hub is a full-scale solution that will enable on-site hydrogen production, ensuring a constant supply of hydrogen fuel to city bus fleets. This is a local ecosystem that allows you to obtain green hydrogen at a favorable price, eliminating the need to supply fuel from outside.
At SES Hydrogen Energy, we see the huge potential of this solution, which is why we implement hydrogen hub concepts aimed at transport applications. We model the most effective configurations, considering demand and energy sources depending on the selected hub structure, to provide green hydrogen fuel cost-effectively today.
[1]: ISO/TR : (E)
With the growing number of low-emission zones (LEZs), mobility linked to professional and commercial activities in urban and suburban areas is under strong pressure to decarbonize. The "last mile", crucial for deliveries, raises major challenges in terms of reducing pollutant emissions, but also in terms of congestion and traffic restrictions. Because of their major role in urban logistics, Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) are directly involved.
Electrification is seen as the most promising way to decarbonize these vehicles, and hydrogen technology offers significant advantages over battery-electric vehicles.
The "last mile" refers to the final phase of the delivery process, where parcels are transported from distribution centers to end customers. This stage is particularly crucial in urban and suburban areas, with complex challenges to overcome.
Many cities are introducing low-emission zones (LEZs) to improve air quality. These regulations restrict or ban access to city centers for the polluting vehicles. For fleet managers, this means a growing need for vehicles that comply with strict environmental standards, which may require significant investment in zero-emission solutions.
Pressure to reduce CO2 emissions and fine particles is growing. Fleet managers are therefore being urged to adopt greener solutions to limit their environmental impact. This requirement is particularly pressing in densely populated urban areas, where air quality is a major concern for local authorities and residents alike.
City centers and suburban areas are often saturated with heavy traffic and frequent traffic jams. This congestion not only leads to delivery delays, but also increases operational costs due to fuel consumption and vehicle idelness. At the same time, consumer expectations in terms of speed of delivery are constantly on the increase, especially with the rise of e-commerce. Fleet managers must therefore optimize their routes and minimize downtime to meet these demands. This requires vehicles capable of delivering reliable, consistent performance, even in difficult traffic conditions;
Hydrogen vans offer an innovative, high-performance solution to the challenges of urban and peri-urban logistics.
Hydrogen-powered vehicles produce only water vapor as a by-product of their operation. There are no CO2 emissions and other gases or harmful particles. This feature is crucial for complying with environmental regulations and improving air quality in urban areas. Furthermore, these vehicles are very quiet, considerably reducing noise pollution, which is particularly useful for night-time deliveries and in residential areas.
Hydrogen vans offer a range comparable to that of traditional diesel vehicles: from 400 to 600 km depending on the size of the tanks installed. These vehicles can therefore cover long distances without the need for frequent refueling. This is particularly beneficial for delivery routes on the outskirts of towns, and for operations requiring a high degree of flexibility.
One of the major advantages of hydrogen-powered vehicles is their extremely rapid refueling time. In less than 5 minutes, a vehicle can be refueled and ready to go again, in stark contrast to the hours needed to recharge battery electric vehicles. This rapid refueling minimizes downtime and optimizes vehicle utilization, improving overall fleet efficiency.
Hydrogen vans offer excellent acceleration performance, comparable or even better to that of diesel vehicles, thanks to the electric drivetrain powered by the fuel cell technology that provides immediate power. This feature is essential for urban deliveries, where frequent stops and starts require responsive, powerful vehicles.
Unlike battery-electric vehicles, the hydrogen fuel cell system does not affect payload or available cargo volume. Hydrogen tanks are integrated so as not to encroach on cargo space, enabling fleet managers to maintain maximum transport capacity.
Hydrogen refueling infrastructures can be centralized, with a single on-site refueling point sufficient to supply the entire fleet. This simplifies fleet management and reduces the costs associated with installing and maintaining multiple refueling points. In addition, partnerships with hydrogen suppliers can facilitate the operation of these infrastructures.
The total cost of ownership (TCO) of hydrogen vans can be comparable to that of diesel or battery electric vehicles, depending on available subsidies and due to reduced operating and maintenance costs. Fleet managers can achieve significant savings over the long term, making this technology not only environmentally friendly but also economically viable.
Hydrogen vans offer an innovative, performant and sustainable solution to the challenges of urban logistics. Their extended range, rapid refueling time, acceleration performance and absence of pollutant emissions offer additional advantages over battery-electric technology. These vehicles offer greater flexibility and efficiency, while complying with strict environmental regulations.
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