Toward the Future of Mobility with Hydrogen
Achieving the EU’s climate goals for reducing CO₂ emissions requires a shift in mobility behavior as well as new technologies. That is why ÖBB Postbus, as Austria’s largest bus company, is applying its expertise to the development of hydrogen and, in doing so, to a climate-friendly and emission-free future in public transit. In this way, we are helping to ensure that our planet remains a livable place for future generations.
Hydrogen as Fuel for the Electric Motor
The Eis hydrogen bus is powered by an electric motor and runs on hydrogen. In the fuel cell installed in the vehicle, a chemical reaction occurs when oxygen is introduced, generating energy. A key difference from battery-powered buses is that the electricity is generated directly within the vehicle. The range of a hydrogen-powered bus is approximately 400 kilometers per tank - making it ideal for intercity travel. Another advantage - besides the fact that refueling a bus with hydrogen takes 10 to 15 minutes (for 40 kg of hydrogen) under normal operating conditions - is provided by the hydrogen bus during winter operation: The chemical reaction in the fuel cell also generates heat, which can be used for heating in winter. Additionally, hydrogen buses feature energy recovery: energy is recovered during braking.
Austria’s Largest Hydrogen Bus Fleet Launches
With 35 hydrogen-powered buses operating on routes in the Villach area, Postbus is launching Austria’s largest hydrogen bus fleet for intercity service. The buses run emission-free, emitting only water vapor, and with a range of up to 400 kilometers per tank, they can handle even long and demanding routes. Refuelling takes place at Austria’s first hydrogen refuelling station at the Postbus location in Villach.
How it all began
The journey toward Austria’s largest hydrogen bus fleet began at Postbus with initial test runs and pilot projects: Since 2018, hydrogen buses have been tested in various regions of Austria - including Vienna, Styria, and Carinthia. The goal was to test the new technology under real-world conditions and assess its suitability for everyday use, particularly for regional and intercity transport. The positive results from these tests laid the foundation for the next steps.
In December 2022, regular scheduled service began in the Villach area, initially with five hydrogen buses. Building on this foundation, the DeCarB - Decarbonising Carinthian Bus Transport project was developed: Today, this initiative has evolved into a large-scale flagship project featuring 35 hydrogen buses, its own refueling infrastructure, and the clear goal of sustainably establishing zero-emission mobility in intercity transport.
Green hydrogen for zero-emission bus transport
To produce green hydrogen generated from renewable energy, the state of Carinthia and Kelag-Kärntner Elektrizitäts-Aktiengesellschaft built a hydrogen electrolysis plant, thereby ensuring zero-emission public transportation in the Villach area.