Bus Éireann has been operating a Hydrogen bus since Monday, 16 November on the 109A Route between Dublin Airport to Ashbourne, County Meath. The three week operational trial is a key element of Bus Éireann’s sustainability strategy which aims to achieve 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
The test vehicle a Caetano H2 Fuel Cell powered bus, is provided by the Salvador Caetano Group and Mitsui & Co, a manufacturer of buses and coaches in Portugal which first presented its latest development, the H2.City Gold hydrogen-powered electric bus in 2019. In the beginning of this year, Caetano started its commercialisation phase and, in Quarter II – initiated its fuel cell bus production plans. This is an innovative project that reflects the economic and environmental benefits of hydrogen towards a decarbonised society.
Hydrogen Mobility Ireland (HMI) announced the multi week, in-service, trial of a fuel cell electric bus in the Dublin area. This bus, powered by a 60KW Toyota fuel cell stack, will be the first ever Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) put into public service operation on the Island of Ireland. It is particularly significant that the vehicle in this first trial, in conjunction with the Department of Transport, is a Bus that will be operated on different routes by CIÉ Group bus companies Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus.
The Hydrogen Mobility Ireland project is a partnership of businesses from across many sectors, together with public sector and academic stakeholders, with all-Island cooperation, joining together to deliver a coordinated approach to the introduction of this cutting-edge technology to ensure that Ireland can benefit from being an early starter in this environmental transport solution.
Hydrogen mobility Ireland has three specific aims around which it has formed working groups:
- Create the conditions to facilitate the production of low carbon hydrogen for use in transport.
- Facilitate the rolling out of hydrogen refueling infrastructure on a national basis.
- Enable the introduction of FCEV transport across various vehicle categories.
Top Pic: Bus Éireann CEO Stephen Kent with the Hydrogen bus
Pictured below is Bus Éireann driver and training supervisor Simon Byrne as he puts the finishing touches to the first hydrogen-powered bus to enter public service in Ireland.
