(Madrid, Spain) – Bosch is testing a fuel cell power module (FCPM) drive system in a bus manufactured by the Basque company Irizar in Madrid. The vehicle will primarily operate on routes where its long range can be fully utilized – including intercity routes. The operator is the Spanish bus company Alsa.
The FCPM C190 fuel cell system offers a range of 1.000 kilometers and is therefore also suitable for long-distance journeys. © Robert Bosch GmbH
"The fuel cell is particularly suitable for buses that travel long distances daily and have little opportunity to recharge en route," the company stated. "This test operation allows us to demonstrate that fuel cell technology is ready for series production in passenger transport." The test vehicle has already undergone extensive trials in recent weeks. The test bus uses the FCPM C190 fuel cell system. It is based on a horizontal double stack and offers a continuous output of 190 kilowatts. With the available tank capacity, ranges of over 1.000 kilometers are possible. Refueling takes ten to fifteen minutes.
Fuel cells also for coaches and trucks
In addition to the FCPM C190, Bosch offers the FCPM C300 with 300 kilowatts of power for heavy-duty coaches and trucks. In March, the company also introduced the FCPM C100 with 100 kilowatts of continuous power for city buses, which is based on the C190 variant. In 2025, Bosch announced the market launch of its Hybrion PEM electrolysis stack for hydrogen production. Furthermore, Bosch is working on hydrogen engines and offers corresponding components for port and direct injection.
Bus operators and municipal transport companies are increasingly switching to more environmentally friendly drive concepts due to EU regulations. For example, CO2 emissions from newly registered city buses must decrease by 90 percent by 2030 compared to the baseline year 2019; for all other bus types, this applies from 2040 onwards.
The fuel cell is also a "perfect complement to battery-electric drive" in bus operation, says Thomas Pauer, Chairman of the Bosch Power Solutions division board. According to figures from the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA), a total of around 38.000 new buses were registered in the EU in 2025.
Photo above
Bus operator Alsa is testing Bosch fuel cell propulsion in Madrid. © Robert Bosch GmbH
