Wrightbus: Meet the world’s first hydrogen double decker bus

July 23, 2024

WrightBus Hydroliner Hydrogen Double Decker Bus H2 Powered July 2024 Driving Hydrogen — Wrightbus Hydroliner hydrogen-powered double decker bus

Wrightbus has just rolled out a groundbreaking marvel in public transport: meet the world’s first hydrogen-powered double-decker bus, the StreetDeck Hydroliner FCEV.

This innovative vehicle, developed under the European Union’s JIVE project (Joint Initiative for Hydrogen Vehicles across Europe), is set to redefine urban commuting with its eco-friendly features and impressive performance, bringing a breath of fresh air – quite literally – to city streets.

Steering into a greener tomorrow, the StreetDeck Hydroliner boasts a hydrogen fuel cell powertrain paired with a 48 kWh battery pack, allowing it to travel up to 280 miles on a single refuel.

And get this – refueling takes just eight minutes. Quicker than you can grab a coffee, it’s back on the road, ready to serve passengers efficiently and sustainably.

Cutting-edge features

Water as the only by-product:
Say goodbye to harmful emissions. The Hydroliner emits only water vapour, making it a friend to both commuters and the environment.

Hydrogen from renewable energy:
The hydrogen used to power this bus can be produced from renewable sources, ensuring the entire operation is green from start to finish.

Improved air quality:
With zero emissions, the Hydroliner helps cities breathe easier. Imagine driving through London without catching a mining lung disease – a reality closer than you think.

Rapid refuelling:
Eight minutes is all it takes to refuel, giving this bus a practical edge over traditional electric vehicles that require longer charging times.

WrightBus’ managing director Neil Collins noted the significant shift in the company’s production focus.

“In 2021, 70% of what we built was diesel. In 2022, 70% of what we build will be zero emissions. So that’s a big change in our industry,” he explained.

Engineering analyst Andy Harris highlighted the monumental shift, saying: “The move from diesel Euro 6 to a zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell is probably the largest technological shift in the industry since we transitioned from the horse and cart to the bus.”

The engineering behind the magic

WrightBus didn’t just retrofit an old diesel bus to run on hydrogen; they designed a brand-new modular and lightweight platform.

This ensures optimal performance and passenger experience.

With support from the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), Wrightbus developed this bus to be as light as possible, improving fuel economy and passenger capacity.

Export opportunities

The impact of WrightBus’ innovation extends beyond the UK.

“We have customers on site today from Germany who are looking at single deck hydrogen buses for Cologne. We are also looking at projects in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Australia,” Collins added.

This international interest underscores the potential of hydrogen buses to revolutionise public transport globally.