Volgren unveils first hydrogen fuel cell bus

Australia’s largest bus body manufacturer Volgren has has revealed its first hydrogen-powered bus (pictured), in collaboration with Wrightbus.

A second hydrogen bus is already in production and will be delivered to the customer in the coming months, further expanding Volgren’s role in zero-emission transport solutions.

The hydrogen bus follows the announcement earlier this month that Volgren and Yutong had built the first of a new model of electric bus.

These two hydrogen-powered buses are part of Volgren’s Zero Emission Bus portfolio, which now includes over 150 zero-emission buses across six battery-electric and fuel-cell variants.

As the first hydrogen fuel cell electric buses to operate in Australia, they represent an important step in the transition to cleaner public transport, according to the company.

Volgren CEO Thiago Deiro said: “This project demonstrates the strength of Australia’s local manufacturing sector and the value of collaboration. Working with Wrightbus has allowed us to produce a hydrogen bus that not only sets new standards in sustainability but also contributes to the local economy through job creation and skills development.”

Northern Ireland based Wrightbus pioneered the world’s first hydrogen-powered double-decker bus, and supplied the hydrogen fuel cell chassis technology for the buses, marking the first time its powertrain technology has been used by an Australian manufacturer.

Wrightbus CEO Jean-Marc Gales said: “This is a significant partnership for Wrightbus as it’s the first time we’ve exported our powertrain technology to a bus body manufacturer and it’s the first time we’ve entered the Australian market.

“Wrightbus is now an established global brand, with bus orders in Germany and across Europe, and growing factory base in Malaysia.”

Further reading:
Volgren and Yutong unveil new electric bus

Picture: Volgren