Project Information
HyBus
A large scale national demonstration project
The HyBus Implementation project aims to carry out a large-scale, long-term demonstration of 700 bar hydrogen buses over a project period of 3 years. To this end, three buses from the world’s first Hyundai series (Hyundai ELEC CITY FCE) will be used for system and logistics research in real operation. In everyday operation, the urban operating case at Wiener Linien in the east, the regional operating case at Graz Linien in the south and the alpine tourism operating case at Zillertaler Verkehrsbetriebe will be analysed.
HyBus is covering all relevant Austrian use-cases:
Urban Case
Urban operation of the FC buses was thorougly tested by "Wiener Linien" which operate FC busses since December 2021 in Vienna.
Regional Case
Regional and inter-city operation for FC buses was thorougly tested by "Grazer Linien" which operate FC buses since July 2023 around the city of Graz.
Alpine Case
Extensive testing was carried out in alpine conditions in order to evaluate the effect of extreme temperatures as well as varying slopes on the FC buses.
HyBus meets ZEMoS
In collaboration with the ongoing "ZeroEmissionMobilitySalzburg" Project, further alpine as well as urban testing was conducted in the region around Salzburg.
HyBus
Testing under harsh conditions
Extreme temperatures as well as roads with significant slopes can impact the performance of fuel cell electric vehicles. In alpine regions, freezing temperatures challenge the bus’s energy storage systems and require additional energy for the heating/air conditioning of the vehicle. Furthermore, due to the varying slopes energy consumption is more complicated to manage. Uphill sections require high power output, placing increased demand on the fuel cell and electric drivetrain. Downhill segments, on the other hand, offer opportunities for energy recovery.
Testing in alpine terrain evaluates how effectively the bus balances these demands. Efficient energy management systems are critical to ensure operation in this regions in winter.
HyBus
Urban, rural and alpine use cases
Fuel cell buses are being extensively tested to meet the demands of both urban and intercity transportation. In cities, buses operate in dense traffic with frequent stops and starts. This stop-and-go pattern tests the fuel cell system’s ability to handle dynamic power demands and frequent energy fluctuations. For longer routes between cities, fuel cell buses face different challenges, including sustained operation at high speeds and varying road conditions.
HyBus
Creating synergies with other ongoing projects
The HyBus implementation project is fostering synergies with regional and national hydrogen initiatives to accelerate the creation of a green hydrogen economy in Austria and Europe. Partnerships with renewable hydrogen implementation projects ensure alignment with sustainability goals, while cooperation on expanding refueling networks supports broader hydrogen mobility.
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Annex 33
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