Vienna's Green Revolution: Transitioning to Hydrogen Fuel Cell Buses
Key Ideas
  • Vienna's city center will replace electric buses with new fuel cell buses by mid-2025, featuring a combination of hydrogen and electricity technology.
  • Wiener Linien is investing in ten new minibuses from Rampini powered by hydrogen and electricity, aiming to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of public transport.
  • The adoption of hydrogen fuel cell buses is part of Vienna's initiative to become a European pioneer in decarbonizing local public transport, reducing the need for charging infrastructure in the city center.
  • The green hydrogen used to fuel the buses is produced locally in Vienna, ensuring independence and climate neutrality in public transportation.
Vienna's public transport system is undergoing a green revolution as Wiener Linien announces the replacement of electric buses in the city center with new fuel cell buses by mid-2025. The decision marks a shift towards hydrogen and electricity technology, departing from the prevalent use of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) for inner city routes in Europe. Wiener Linien is set to introduce ten hydrogen-powered minibuses from the Italian manufacturer Rampini, known as the Hydron model, which will replace existing electric buses on specific routes due to reaching their mechanical limits. Additionally, the city will deploy CaetanoBus fuel cell buses on route 39A as part of the transition to sustainable public transport. The buses will be refueled at an H2 filling and charging station in Vienna, using green hydrogen produced locally. The move towards hydrogen fuel cell buses comes after Wiener Linien tested a Solaris fuel cell bus but found it did not meet expectations, leading to the selection of Rampini and CaetanoBus for the new fleet. This initiative is part of Vienna's commitment to climate-friendly technologies, with an investment of approximately 12 million euros to purchase and maintain the new buses. The development aligns with the city's goal to become a leader in decarbonizing local public transport and reducing dependency on traditional charging infrastructure. Wiener Linien's Managing Director highlights the advantages of the new technology, enabling uninterrupted all-day bus operation and climate-neutral travel. The partnership between Wiener Linien and Rampini signifies a step towards innovation in public transport, emphasizing the importance of renewable energy sources like hydrogen in creating sustainable urban mobility solutions.
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