Austria's Green Revolution: Carinthia's Ambitious Hydrogen Bus Project
Key Ideas
- Austrian company Kelag, along with partners from industry and the state of Carinthia, are spearheading the DeCarB project to introduce 36 hydrogen buses in the Villach area by May 2026.
- The project involves using green electricity from renewable sources to produce hydrogen through electrolysis plants, with by-products like oxygen and heat being efficiently utilized.
- The initiative aims to save 700,000 liters of diesel annually by covering two million kilometers with 35 hydrogen buses for regional bus services and one for city transport.
- With a total cost of 43 million euros, the project is heavily subsidized with 28 million euros, including funds from the federal government, the EU, and the Research Promotion Agency.
In Austria, Kelag CEO Danny Güthlein likened the country's heavy dependence on fossil fuels to relying on neighbors for food, emphasizing the need for decarbonization. The DeCarB project in Carinthia focuses on introducing 36 hydrogen buses by May 2026, aiming to revolutionize public transportation. Partners like Kelag and the state of Carinthia are utilizing green electricity from water, wind, and photovoltaic sources to produce hydrogen in electrolysis plants. By efficiently using by-products like oxygen and heat, the initiative ensures sustainability. The hydrogen buses will be operated by Postbus AG, aiming to save 700,000 liters of diesel annually by covering two million kilometers. The project, which costs 43 million euros, is heavily subsidized with 28 million euros from federal and EU funds, along with support from the Research Promotion Agency. The initiative signifies a major step towards a greener future, showcasing Austria's commitment to sustainable technologies and decarbonization.