Hydrogen E-Bus Fleet in Operation in Vienna from September

Starting in September 2025, ten hydrogen-powered electric buses will be deployed for the first time on lines 2A and 3A in the Vienna city center. These modern minibuses optimally utilize the synergies of the Wiener Stadtwerke Group: Wien Energie produces the hydrogen from renewable energies, the buses are refueled at the Wiener Netze campus, and the Wiener Linien transport passengers safely and without emissions.

Ten Emission-Free Hydrogen E-Buses in Regular Operation in Vienna City for the First Time Starting September

Currently, about 60 e-buses are in operation in Vienna. The introduction of hydrogen technology, which has been tested by the Wiener Linien, significantly increases the range of these buses. Starting in September, ten minibuses with hydrogen technology will replace the previous e-buses on lines 2A and 3A in the city center. These buses no longer require charging infrastructure in the city center, allowing the fleet to be reduced from twelve to ten buses.

"Vienna has set the goal of being climate neutral by 2040. We are continuing to massively expand the environmentally friendly public transport, currently the U2XU5 and three new tram lines. New drive technologies also play a central role. Wien Energie, Wiener Netze, and Wiener Linien are joining forces to once again make Vienna a European leader in the decarbonization of public transport with the new E-H2 buses. With these buses, we are investing in the future of our city and ushering in a new era of sustainable mobility," says Vienna's public transport councilor Ulli Sima.

Hydrogen E-Buses Can Operate All Day Without Recharging

The new hydrogen e-buses from Rampini have been thoroughly tested and offer better performance than pure electric buses. This makes the Wiener Linien more efficient and environmentally friendly. Externally, the "Hydron" model resembles its predecessor, but a hydrogen fuel cell supplies the 230 kW electric motor with energy in addition to the 170 kWh battery. This technology allows the bus to operate all day without recharging.

"The Wiener Stadtwerke are consistently advancing in climate protection. We have intensively tested the new bus in advance and are utilizing the synergies within the Wiener Stadtwerke group with the new drive system. The innovative battery-hydrogen technology enables all-day operation without charging interruptions. With the new buses, all Viennese will benefit from more environmentally friendly, quieter, and safer mobility from September, while also enjoying high comfort," said Gudrun Senk, Technical Managing Director of Wiener Linien.

Wiener Linien as an Innovation Driver in the Bus Sector

Wiener Linien, the Ministry of Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure, and the EU are investing around 12 million euros in new Rampini buses and their maintenance. These air-conditioned buses are stationed in Simmering, where they are supplied with green hydrogen at an H2 filling station by Wien Energie, produced on-site from green electricity. Thanks to the Rampini Hydron, Wiener Linien can flexibly respond to schedule changes. Wiener Linien is committed to environmentally friendly drive technologies and opened a competence center for electromobility in Siebenhirten in 2024. In Liesing and Simmering, nine bus lines now operate with pure electric drive, operated by a total of 50 Mercedes buses. The 59A line is also set to be converted this year.

Wiener Linien is intensively testing buses with electric and hydrogen drives to remain a leader in climate-neutral mobility. Most recently, a battery-hydrogen articulated bus from Mercedes-Benz was tested on line 13A. Additionally, a 700 bar hydrogen bus from Hyundai is available exclusively for three years, which can surpass diesel buses in terms of range. These tests provide important insights for future purchasing decisions. This year, in addition to the E-H2 minibuses from Rampini, hydrogen buses will also be put into operation. Ten buses from CaetanoBus in Portugal will run on line 39A between Sievering and Heiligenstadt. The barrier-free, twelve-meter-long buses will be refueled at the hydrogen filling station in the Leopoldau bus garage (21st district), operated by Wien Energie and Wiener Netzen. Wiener Linien is utilizing the existing hydrogen infrastructure of Wiener Stadtwerke.

(Red)

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