Irizar has tested its new hydrogen-powered coach, the Irizar i6S Efficient Hydrogen, on a 2,500-kilometre round trip between Ormaiztegi in northern Spain and Briançon in the French Alps.
The coach reached a driving range of 900 kilometres during the test, setting a European record for the longest journey made by a hydrogen coach.
The trip included travel through the Pyrenees and the Provence region, with the coach climbing more than 1,400 metres in elevation. Along the way, the team tested refuelling at several hydrogen stations. Each full refuel took less than 20 minutes.
Javier Goikoetxea, Irizar's Export Director said:We're extremely proud of this achievement. Not only does it reinforce our position as pioneers in the sustainable mobility space, but it also opens up new opportunities for the Europe-wide adoption of clean technologies.
The coach was also presented to regional officials in southern France during the journey. The aim was to show how hydrogen can be used as an alternative to diesel for long-distance travel.
This coach, first shown at the Busworld International Fair in 2023, is the first hydrogen-powered long-distance coach developed in Europe. It uses a fuel cell to generate electricity and a 510-horsepower electric motor for movement. The coach also includes a three-speed gearbox and is made with components from European suppliers.
Irizar says the new model is ready for wider production and can be used on regular routes without needing long stops for charging. It can also run in electric-only mode when needed.
