Hydrogen bus proves successful in public transport in Czechia's Most region, cities to consider buying one

The hydrogen bus tested in the Most region has proved successful, according to the transport company. It ran without problems in both summer and winter, and is quiet and zero-emission, said Daniel Dunovský, director of the Most and Litvínov Municipal Transport Company. The cities that own the company will now consider adding it to regular service.

The low-floor, eight-metre bus developed in Slovakia can carry 68 passengers, with 20 seats. The fully air-conditioned bus can travel up to 350 kilometres on hydrogen and a further 100 kilometres on its battery. The four hydrogen tanks have a total capacity of 10.5 kilograms and take ten minutes to refill.

The bus’s average consumption during the winter trial was 4.3 kilograms of hydrogen per 100 kilometres; in summer, it was 3.37 kilograms. „The driver’s style and the number of passengers mattered more than the terrain the bus was driven on. We are satisfied with the overall results of both the summer and winter trials. We also received positive feedback from passengers. We are currently preparing recommendations on whether hydrogen buses could be added to our fleet,“ Dunovský said.

Reducing transport emissions is one of the decarbonisation goals, according to Most Mayor Marek Hrvol (ProMOST). „We see hydrogen as one of the tools for achieving these goals. The advantages of hydrogen buses include reduced noise pollution and zero emissions,“ he said. The city will begin considering whether to put the buses into regular service after receiving an assessment report from the transport company. „The development of low-emission and zero-emission mobility in public transport is also a current issue for us. We are proud to be among the first cities to have had the opportunity to test a hydrogen bus in urban public transport and to be one step closer to introducing modern, environmentally friendly technologies. The final decision on adding hydrogen buses to public transport will be made after further discussions,“ said Litvínov Mayor Kamila Bláhová (ANO).

Orlen Unipetrol operates a public hydrogen station in Záluží, Litvínov, on the I/27 road. It is halfway along the main route between the two cities. The chemical plant uses hydrogen to produce fuels and ammonia, and uses a small amount in plastics.