The hydrogen-powered electric coach Irizar i6S Efficient Hydrogen successfully completed a round trip between the northeastern Spanish city of Ormaiztegi, the headquarters of the bus manufacturer, and the southeastern French city of Briançon, approximately 1,500 kilometers away as the crow flies. According to Irizar's press release, during the test drive, the H2 bus covered a total distance of 2,500 kilometers to the destination in the French Alps, passing through various cities in the Pyrenees and Provence. A height difference of more than 1,400 meters had to be overcome. With this test drive, Irizar broke the record for the longest distance ever covered by a hydrogen bus in Europe, according to the announcement from the Spanish brand. Additionally, a range of 900 kilometers with only one tank of hydrogen for the fuel cell was demonstrated, according to the information provided.
Hardly 20 Minutes for Refueling
On the journey from A to B and back, the Irizar i6S Efficient Hydrogen has examined the time required for refueling hydrogen at several stations and, it is said, achieved a complete refueling in less than 20 minutes.
During the journey, the bus was also presented to various institutions in the French region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, where it reportedly sparked overwhelming interest in the potential of this innovative technology.
"This event marked a milestone in demonstrating the potential of hydrogen as a sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuels,"
says the provider. Javier Goikoetxea, responsible for the export of Irizar buses, says the development not only proves the company's pioneering achievement but also opens up new opportunities for the Europe-wide adoption of "clean technologies."
About the Irizar i6S Efficient Hydrogen
The Irizar i6S Efficient Hydrogen, which was presented for the first time at the international Busworld 2023 exhibition, is, according to the manufacturer, the first European H2 coach. The vehicle generates electricity through an electrolysis process in the fuel cell, while propulsion is provided by a 510 hp electric motor with an integrated three-speed gearbox. If needed, the vehicle can be operated in a 100 percent purely electric mode for a short time. The main components of the bus are developed and supplied by European partners. Irizar is ready for the series production of this innovative coach model and is already working on various related projects, it is stated.
Thanks to the reduced refueling times of the vehicle, customers could maintain flexible operations without interrupting their usual routes and schedules, according to the provider. Additionally, the vehicle concept is designed for minimal maintenance effort.
The portfolio of the Irizar Group, founded in Spain in 1889, lists coaches with various drive types: from vehicles powered by diesel, biodiesel, and HVO to natural gas and battery-electric buses, up to the hydrogen bus. According to its own information, the Irizar i6S Efficient Hydrogen is the first zero-emission hydrogen bus in Europe.
The company has around 2,900 employees and operates locations in over 90 countries. The total of 13 factories are located in Spain, Morocco, Brazil, Mexico, and South Africa. The research and development center (R&D) is located at the headquarters in Ormaiztegi.
