Germany’s transition to zero-emission public transportation continues to gain momentum as new fuel cell bus (FCEB) fleet expansions in Krefeld and Cottbus highlight how transit operators are increasingly relying on hydrogen fuel cell technology to deliver the range, fast refueling, and operational reliability needed for demanding urban and regional routes — with Ballard-powered fuel cell systems playing a central role in this transition.
As public transit operators work to decarbonize fleets, FCEBs are increasingly a critical part of the solution. Germany has emerged as Europe’s leading market – accounting for more than 60% of all FCEB registrations across the continent in 2025 - reflecting growing confidence in hydrogen as a scalable pathway toward zero-emission public transportation.
This momentum is especially evident in eastern Germany, where the first vehicles in a 46-bus fleet of UK-based manufacturer Wrightbus' Kite Hydroliner FCEBs - powered by Ballard's 70kW FCmove®-HD fuel cell engine - have officially entered regular passenger service in Cottbus. The deployment represents another important milestone for hydrogen-powered public transit in Germany and further expands the growing number of buses operating with Ballard technology.
Four fuel cell buses are now running daily duty cycles with operator Cottbusverkehr, while concurrently testing under regular service conditions. The operator is evaluating vehicle performance, range, refueling procedures, and operational fleet integration as part of a broader strategy to expand zero-emission passenger service across the region.
An additional seven buses are expected on the road soon, following the successful completion of operational trials, while the remaining 35 vehicles will be deployed by regional subsidiary Spree-Neisse-Verkehr. To support the rollout, a mobile hydrogen refueling station (HRS) has been installed at the Cottbusverkehr depot until a permanent facility – anticipated at the end of 2027 – is completed.
In Krefeld, transit operator SWK Mobil has selected Polish manufacturer Solaris to support the continued expansion of its zero-emission fleet. The latest order includes 19 hydrogen-powered buses scheduled for delivery in 2027, consisting of nine Solaris Urbino 12 hydrogen buses and 10 articulated Urbino 18 units.
The order builds on a long-standing partnership between SWK Mobil and Solaris that dates back to 2011 and complements last year’s successful delivery of an initial 10 Solaris Urbino 12 hydrogen buses, powered by Ballard.
Continuing to strengthen its position as Europe’s leading hydrogen bus manufacturer, more than 800 Solaris hydrogen-powered vehicles are now operating in cities across Europe, with approximately half deployed in Germany across 18 municipalities.
In 2025 alone, FCEBs accounted for 558 registrations in Europe, with Solaris delivering 277 units integrating Ballard FCmove® fuel cell engines - a development that reflects the strong policy support for zero-emission transportation and increasing operational confidence in fuel cell technology for high-utilization transit applications where range, fast refueling, and vehicle availability are essential.