Wrightbus fuel cell buses powered by Ballard heading for German roads

Bus manufacturer Wrightbus is expanding its horizons in Europe having secured a new order in Germany for its single-deck zero-emission Kite Hydroliner hydrogen bus - powered by Ballard Power Systems' FCmove® fuel cell engine.

The fleet of 12 fuel cell electric buses will be supplied to bus operator West Verkehr after a Europe-wide tender process, and the Kite Hydroliners will be rolled out across the town of Geilenkirchen, near Düsseldorf. This represents a significant order for the Northern Ireland-based manufacturer as it continues its growth in the zero-emission public transport market. 

Equipped with Ballard's FCmove®-HD fuel cell technology, the Kite Hydroliner enjoys fast refueling time, a maximum range of 1,030km and a capacity to carry 90 passengers. There are currently more than 20 Kite Hydroliners due to start operation on public transport routes in the UK this year, while Ballard's proven fuel cell technology already powers 1,500 fuel cell  buses for manufacturers including Van Hool, Solaris and New Flyer in cities across Europe and North America.

Managing Director of West Verkehr, Udo Winkens, added that the purchase of the 12 Wrightbus vehicles demonstrates the operator is taking important steps to convert the region's bus fleets to zero-emission drives.

The order with West Verkehr follows swiftly on from Wrightbus' recent deal with fellow German operator Regionalverkehr Köln GmbH (RVK), which will supply 60 units of the single-deck hydrogen-powered bus.