Ballard Power Systems has celebrated the expansion of hydrogen-powered public transport throughout Germany, with the first of a set of 46 Wrightbus Kite Hydroliner fuel cell buses now entering operation in Cottbus.
Powered by Ballard’s 70kW FCmove®-HD fuel cell engine, the deployment represents a milestone for hydrogen-powered public transport in Germany.
Four fuel cell buses are now providing regular daily service with operator Cottbusverkehr, whilst concurrently testing under regular service conditions.
The operator is now evaluating vehicle performance, range, refuelling procedures and operational fleet integration as part of a wider strategy to expand zero-emission passenger service across the region.
An additional seven buses are expected to enter service in the near future, following the successful completion of operational trials, whilst the remaining 35 vehicles will be deployed by regional subsidiary Spree-Neisse-Verkehr.
In order to support the overall rollout, a mobile hydrogen refuelling station (HRS) has been installed at the Cottbusverkehr depot until a permanent facility – anticipated at the end of 2027 – is completed.
Ralf Thalmann, Managing Director at Cottbusverkehr, said:We are delighted that the first buses in our hydrogen fuel cell fleet are now in daily passenger service.
The technology is being tested under real-world conditions, and the aim of the trial is to gain valuable insights into the vehicles’ performance in everyday service, as well as operational processes. Key focus areas include range, deployment planning, and the interaction between vehicles, infrastructure, and driving personnel.
Elsewhere, in Krefeld, operator SWK Mobil has opted to order a set of 19 hydrogen-powered buses from Solaris, which are expected to enter service in 2027.
This order consists of nine Solaris Urbino 12 hydrogen buses and 10 articulated Urbino 18 units, building on a long-standing partnership between both SWK Mobil and Solaris that dates back to 2011.
Solaros’ Urbino 18 articulated fuel cell bus utilises Ballard’s FCmove®-HD+ rooftop configuration, with the company’s power solutions having been integrated into 277 of the company’s vehicles delivered into Europe thus far.
