A total of 26 Solaris Urbino nE12 Hydrogen fuel cell hybrid buses will soon be available as solo vehicles for use on REVG lines in the Rhein-Erft district. Following commissioning of the first two vehicles in July 2024, full delivery will be completed by the end of June 2025.
The new vehicles are equipped with hydrogen fuel cell technology, which releases only water vapour as emissions. They have a range of up to 350 km and can be refuelled quickly (in approximately 10 - 15 min.). The 70 kW Ballard fuel cell, combined with powerful electric motors and a traction battery, ensures reliable, quiet, and climate-friendly propulsion. A striking feature is the raised roof structure, beneath which the fuel cell technology and the five composite tanks are located. In the fuel cell, the hydrogen is converted into electricity and water vapour. The electricity is then stored in high-performance batteries and used to power the vehicles. Only water vapour escapes from the exhaust.
Every day, REVG transports passengers to school, work, the doctor, or their leisure activities. Over 270 REVG buses and contracted companies cover 9.2 million scheduled km annually in the Rhein-Erft district. The use of the 26 completely emission-free hydrogen buses, which replace the existing diesel buses in REVG's fleet, saves greenhouse gases. Compared to the use of conventional diesel buses, this represents a reduction of approximately 1500 tpy of CO2.
Refuelling takes place on the REVG premises at the hydrogen filling station built by the forwarding company Rheinland Hilde Freund GmbH & Co. KG in October 2024. This station is supplied exclusively with green hydrogen. “With green hydrogen, we meet the requirements of the Federal Ministry for the Promotion of Vehicle Procurement. The filling station infrastructure ensures the operational readiness of our vehicles 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The hydrogen filling station and supply are provided by the Messer Group, the specialist for industrial, medical, and specialty gases,” explained REVG Managing Director, Walter Reinarz.
Gregor Golland, Chairman of the REVG Supervisory Board, emphasised: “The decision to use hydrogen technology is based on a feasibility study and a future-oriented strategic approach. We as the Supervisory Board support this technological innovation and welcome the sustainable development of our transport company.”
REVG’s procurement strategy involves a careful balance between technological feasibility, economic viability, and environmental impact. Looking ahead, REVG Managing Director Martin Gawrisch added: “Whether hydrogen will be the central energy source in the long-term remains to be seen – but we will continue to strive for the use of vehicles powered by alternative fuels.”
The conversion of part of the bus fleet to hydrogen is being supported by the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV) with a total of €7.488 million as part of the directive on the promotion of alternative drive systems for buses in passenger transport.
Funding for this measure is also provided within the framework of the German Recovery and Resilience Plan (DARP) through the European Recovery and Resilience Facilities (ARF) in the NextGenerationEU programme. The funding guidelines are coordinated by NOW GmbH and implemented by the Project Management Agency Jülich (PtJ).