Hydrogen Central

Hürth has The Second Largest Hydrogen Bus Fleet in Europe, Germany

hydrogen bus fleet europe

Hürth has the second largest hydrogen bus fleet in Europe, Germany.

The city of Hürth is the European vice-champion – when it comes to hydrogen propulsion. It has the second largest fleet of hydrogen buses. Currently, 16 CO²-neutral buses run on all city bus lines.

Only recently they had to give up the first place – to Wuppertal. Although only vice-president, Hürth is very proud of the climate-neutral bus fleet.

Stefan Welsch, CEO of Hürther Stadtwerke, said:

We are the nucleus of hydrogen buses in Europe, which I think is great,

Hürth used the first hydrogen buses in 2014 and the fleet was continuously expanded into this year. Five more vehicles have just been added. Now they are on the road on all city bus lines.

Quiet and environmentally friendly

At first glance, they hardly differ from the diesel models. Because modern technology is in the bus. The hydrogen is used in a fuel cell to generate the energy that the bus’s electric motor needs.

Heiko Herr is one of the drivers and he is still fascinated by the technology:

I’m happy about every meter I drive.

Because the buses do not pollute the air, only water comes out in the back and they are quiet, adds Herr.

Hydrogen is produced in Hürth

Hürth is an ideal location for hydrogen-powered vehicles, as it is produced at the Knapsack Chemical Park. There is also a gas station and another is under construction at the depot.

The hydrogen bus is refuelled in less than ten minutes. However, it is not counted in liters, but in kilograms. Thanks for staying up to date with Hydrogen Central.

Hürth is currently pleased that it has concluded long-term contracts for the supply of hydrogen. Thus, the enormous increase in the price of diesel does not cause any problems for the city. Last year alone, the hydrogen buses saved 195,000 liters of diesel.

It just drips water onto the road

And it’s still not over, because three more hydrogen buses are to be purchased. The unit price is about 600,000 euros. However, the city receives public funding, so that in the end it pays only 250,000 euros – that’s how much a diesel bus costs.

READ the latest news shaping the hydrogen market at Hydrogen Central

Hürth has the second largest hydrogen bus fleet in Europe, March 24, 2022

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