The launch of a hydrogen-electric minibus in Slovakia represents a significant step toward delivering zero-emission solutions for urban transit across Europe – as the world’s most fuel-efficient and fastest-refueling vehicle of its kind.
The eight-metre, 21-passenger H2Bus is manufactured by Slovakian innovators Mobility & Innovation and features an integrated alternative fuel system designed and supplied by Luxfer Gas Cylinders.
The system includes four G-Stor® Pro cylinders, as well as valves and regulators, all packaged in a’ready to assemble’ kit.
Luxfer’s cylinders have the highest capacity, are the quickest to refill, and are the lightest Type 3 alternative fuel cylinders on the market, making them ideal for transit buses, light, medium, and heavy-duty trucks, refuse vehicles, and bulk gas transportation modules.
The system was developed by experts at Luxfer Gas Cylinders’ Alternative Fuel Systems facility in Nottingham, working in collaboration with global partners to complete the project in just nine months – roughly three times as fast as standard clean bus builds.
The H2Bus, which requires only 10.5 kilograms of hydrogen to achieve a range of more than 400 kilometers, is equipped with a hydrogen fuel cell system and an electric motor. To maximize fuel efficiency, the weight of all components was kept to a minimum, and the bus was designed to offer the quickest refueling of any comparable bus on the market.
The minibus will now travel through Slovakia, Italy, Austria, Hungary, and the Czech Republic, demonstrating the technology’s viability and attempting to secure commercial orders.
Luxfer’s European Business Development Manager, Jim Gregory, joined the Bratislava launch. Addressing the 50-plus attendees, which included the Minister for the Economy, industry and media, he said: “This project was designed, built, tested and homologated in much less than one year, in collaboration with a dynamic team of engineers and suppliers from seven different European countries – all despite the huge limitations that COVID caused on travel and logistics.
“We’re extremely proud to see the H2Bus come to fruition – this is significant in helping many more bus operators and governments become another step closer to achieving their zero emissions targets.”
Janos Onodi, Director, Mobility & Innovation, added: “Working with Luxfer was vital to the success of the project. Their experience in designing hydrogen vehicles gave us the security of knowing we were getting a state of the art and safe design. When pressure came on the timing program their young and dynamic engineering team always stepped up to ensure things were ready on time.”
Luxfer has impressive expertise in the alternative fuel sector, having been a key partner in the design and delivery of a number of industry-first transportation projects, including the world’s first commercially produced hydrogen trucks, the UK’s first hydrogen-powered train, and the world’s first hydrogen double decker buses, all of which are now in operation throughout Aberdeen, London, and Northern Ireland.
Luxfer Gas Cylinders, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of lightweight high pressure cylinders, is a trusted partner for custom alternative fuel solutions. The company is a member of the Fuel Cell & Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA) and the UK Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (UKHFCA).
