An order of 51 new hydrogen-powered buses made two years ago by Montpellier, a city on France’s southern coast, has been cancelled.
The EU was supposed to cover some of the $33 million cost of the order. Despite the lower initial cost of hydrogen buses compared to electric versions, operations would be six times more expensive, according to Montpellier’s new president, according to French media.
An electrolyzer, a solar power plant, hydrogen storage facilities, and bus refueling stations were all part of a joint venture between two French companies. However, the city found that the costs of producing, storing, and distributing green hydrogen were far beyond what it was willing to pay.
After canceling the order for 51 new hydrogen fuel buses, Montpellier officials are not abandoning hydrogen technology. After two decades, when the technology is expected to become more widely available and less expensive, they still plan on running fuel cell buses. However, electric buses will be used in Montpellier until then.
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