The gradual electrification of the bus fleet is on the medium-term agenda at moBiel – the municipal public transport operator in the German city of Bielefeld. But unlike other larger city bus operators, moBiel is opting for the novel fuel cell technology instead of pure battery-electric buses, and is buying four hydrogen buses. The Portuguese manufacturer Caetano just delivered its model “H2 City Gold”, which is built as a fuel cell bus in cooperation with the Japanese Toyota Group. Throughout Europe, the model has been and is being presented and tested at various locations – Bielefeld is one of the first commercial users.
The buses have their home base at the new Sennestadt Lilienthalstraße depot, which has been specially equipped for this purpose. This includes, for example, the installation of a second working level, which allows easy and safe access to the components installed on the roof of the buses. The four fuel cell buses are currently being tested and on driver training. In the near future, they will operate on line 29 Schildhof – Jahnplatz – Baderbach, which has a frequency of 20 minutes from Monday to Friday. With a scheduled travel time of 23 minutes, three buses will be needed for the regular service.
UTM was given the opportunity to have a deeper look into the installations and the new vehicles in advance. After completion of the hydrogen fuelling station start of revenue service is expected during spring 2022.
The entire project requires a total investment of approximately EUR 13.5 mn and is supported by public funding, and the results of the operation in daily practice will certainly see much interest elsewhere. This, moBiel is undoubtedly taking on a pioneering role in the application of this technology in Germany.
Technical data:
- Body: CAETANO
- Length: 11,995 mm
- Width: 2,500 mm
- Height: 3,458 mm
- Passenger capacity: 37 seats, 39 standing places = 76 passengers, 2 folding seats, 1 wheelchair space
- Electric motor: Siemens permanent motor, 180 kW
- Fuel cell: Toyota polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell, 60 kW
- Battery: Lithium titanate, from Forsee Power, 44 kWh
- Hydrogen tanks: 5 pressure cylinders made of composite, type 4, pressure: 350 bar
- Hydrogen consumption: approx. 6 kg per 100 kilometres
- Refuelling time: 9 minutes
- Front axle: ZF RL 82 EC
- Rear axle: low-floor portal axle
We had already reported about the type “H2 City Gold” here:
https://www.urban-transport-magazine.com/en/a-hydrogen-bus-for-dormagen/
https://www.urban-transport-magazine.com/en/caetano-fuel-cell-buses-for-eswe-wiesbaden/
https://www.urban-transport-magazine.com/en/first-trial-of-caetano-fuel-cell-bus-in-spain/
