Bosch has begun conducting an initial test operation of its fuel cell technology in Madrid: equipped with a fuel-cell power module (FCPM) from Bosch, an Irizar bus has been transporting passengers through the Spanish capital for several weeks.
Vehicle operation will focus on routes where the fuel cell’s long range allows it to fully demonstrate its advantages. The operator is the Spanish bus company Alsa.
“Fuel cells are especially well-suited for buses that travel longer distances every day and rarely have the opportunity to charge en route. With this trial, we can clearly demonstrate that Bosch’s fuel-cell technology is ready for the demands of large-scale deployment in passenger transport.”
Over several weeks, the test vehicle has already undergone extensive testing and received the necessary approval. Day-to-day operation in real conditions will now confirm the robustness and strengths of the fuel-cell powertrain. The test bus is equipped with the FCPM C190 fuel-cell system from Bosch. This compact system is based on a horizontal double stack and delivers a continuous output of 190 kW. With the available hydrogen tank capacity, ranges of over 1000 km are possible, with refuelling times of just 10 - 15 minutes. This means the bus can also be used for intercity service. In addition to the FCPM C190, Bosch also offers the FCPM C300, a system designed for heavy-duty tour buses and trucks. The portfolio is rounded off by the FCPM C100, which, with a continuous power output of 100 kW and a flat design, is the ideal solution for city buses.
EU regulations are driving innovation in the bus sector
Due to EU regulations, bus operators and city transit companies are increasingly turning to alternatives to diesel engines. In addition to regulations aimed at improving air quality in cities, climate regulations also call for more environmentally friendly powertrain systems. For example, by 2030, carbon emissions of newly registered city buses must be reduced by 90 percent compared to 2019; for all other bus types, this applies from 2040 onward. Vehicles with fuel-cell power modules, which the EU recognises as zero-emission vehicles, can make an important contribution here. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), just over 38 000 new buses were registered in the EU in 2025.
Bosch technology along the entire hydrogen value chain
Bosch is strongly committed to building a hydrogen economy, and is developing technical solutions for the production, infrastructure, and use of hydrogen. In 2025, the company announced the launch of its Hybrion PEM electrolysis stack for hydrogen production. Bosch is also working on technology for hydrogen engines and offers corresponding components for port and direct injection. At the end of 2025, a team of developers from Bosch won the German Future Prize, the federal president’s award for technology and innovation, for their development of the mobile fuel cell.