UITP International Union of Public Transport : JIVE – a closer look at the hydrogen fuel cell buses

The hydrogen fuel cell (FC) bus is one of few options for the elimination of harmful local emissions and the decarbonisation of public transport. Its performance has been validated in Europe in recent years through various demonstration projects, however, a number of actions are required to allow the commercialisation of FC buses. These include addressing the high ownership costs relative to conventional buses and ensuring that the FC buses can meet the high availability levels demanded by public transport. Additionally, developing the refuelling infrastructure is needed to provide reliable, low-cost hydrogen.

JIVE, the EU-funded research project that kicked off in January 2017, aims to ease the commercialisation of fuel cell buses by deploying more than 140 vehicles across 9 locations, which will double the number of FC buses operating currently in Europe.

JIVE will also test new hydrogen refuelling stations with the required capacity to serve fleets in excess of 20 buses. This activity aims to reduce the costs of hydrogen and increase the availability of equipment.

This project is the first time that UITP engages in the hydrogen bus sector in order to provide objective expertise and guidance. UITP convenes an unbiased User Group composed of its members to review the methodology and emerging results from the data collection process. Additionally, UITP plays a role in dissemination activities and acts as an advisory body to ensure that the voice of the wider public transport industry is brought into the project.

Find out more on new generation buses at the UITP-Busworld conference (Kortrijk, 23-34 October 2017).

For more information on JIVE, contact Marta Van den Bergh [e-mail].