This news concludes the consortium’s tendering exercise and subsequent due diligence, which made it clear that Wrightbus offers the most attractive hydrogen solution. Following the industrial recovery of Wrightbus, led by Jo Bamford (owner) and Buta Atwal (CEO), Wrightbus is now entering the European market with a zero emission single-decker bus, supported by a world-class maintenance package. Wrightbus is in a better position than ever before to supply customers and to provide first-class after-sale support.
This new offering is the most cost-effective truly zero-emission option available, with a single-decker bus price below €375,000 after funding, a hydrogen price between €5 and €7 per kilogram and a service cost between €0.25 and €0.35 per kilometer, all depending on operator and route requirements. The zero-tailpipe emission feature of the fuel cell bus’s operation will be complemented by zero-emission hydrogen production from renewable energy sources, yielding a “well-to-wheel” emission-free transportation solution.
Buta Atwal, CEO at Wrightbus, says:
“Wrightbus is leading the way with the world’s first hydrogen double-decker bus and, together with the H2Bus Consortium, we can show the UK, Europe and the rest of the worlds what we have to offer. This agreement will deliver hundreds of hydrogen fuel cell electric buses to a wider European market, providing extensive range, acclaimed operational ability and a lower cost for operators compared to an electric bus equivalent. Public transport is being transformed in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic with a huge focus on zero emissions, so we feel privileged to be at the vanguard of this revolution alongside our other consortium members."
Jacob Krogsgaard, CEO of Everfuel, said:
“We are excited to work with Wrightbus to deliver the H2Bus Consortium’s ambition of the lowest cost truly zero emission fuel cell electric buses in Europe. Through our bus supplier Wrightbus; hydrogen cylinder and distribution module supplier Hexagon; hydrogen fuel cell supplier Ballard; and electrolyser and refueling station supplier Nel, the consortium brings European engineering expertise to our streets. This will create and secure highly skilled jobs for the next generation of transport technology and fueling solutions in Europe.”
The first phase of the project, totaling 600 buses, is supported by €40 million from the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF1 ). The funding will enable the deployment of 200 hydrogen fuel cell electric buses and supporting infrastructure in each of Denmark, Latvia and the UK by 2023. In parallel, the H2Bus consortium will remain active in other clusters across Europe to reach the targeted 1,000 bus deployment.
