(Catfish / Austria) – The Austrian Fronius International GmbH has started test operation of a hydrogen bus together with project partners. According to the information, the “Urbino 12 Hydrogen” vehicle is fueled with locally produced green hydrogen and runs on public transport in the city of Wels for almost two weeks. The state of Upper Austria, the city of Wels, Fronius, the bus manufacturer Solaris and the transport companies Wels Linien, SAB Tours and OÖVV are involved in the project called “Hydro-Motion”. The test rides with drivers provided by SAB Tours end on August 20th.
At the Fronius research and development site in Thalheim near Wels, the Urbino is refueled with around 13 kilograms of hydrogen every day. 
The refueling process is hardly different from refueling a diesel vehicle, says Anna Mejer, general manager of the Polish bus manufacturer Solaris Bus & Coach SA
Refueling takes around 15 minutes. This means that, depending on the operating conditions, at least 160 kilometers can be covered, explained Fronius. However, daily ranges of 350 kilometers are possible. According to the manufacturer, it has already covered 12 kilometers with a full tank of Urbino 400 Hydrogen. 
The hydrogen is produced using solar power on site in a system from Fronius called “Solhub”. The aim is to demonstrate its practical suitability and show “that the technology works and is suitable for everyday use,” says Thomas Hülser, Business Development Hydrogen Solutions, Fronius International GmbH.
Fronius has locations in Wels, Thalheim, Steinhaus and Sattledt. The company plans to build a hydrogen competence center in Steinhaus, Upper Austria.
Since introducing the hydrogen bus in 2019, Solaris says it has already received orders for this model from Germany, Italy, Austria, the Netherlands and Sweden.
deep link
https://www.fronius.com/de/solarenergie/ueber-uns/presse/fronius-betankt-wasserstoffbus-mit-100-prozent-lokal-produziertem-gruenem-wasserstoff-10082021
https://www.solarisbus.com/de/presse/oberosterreich-erprobt-nun-als-eine-weitere-region-den-solaris-wasserstoffbus-1598?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=article-1598
Photo above
Test operation started: Solaris Urbino 12 Hydrogen / © State of Upper Austria, Wolfsteiner
Photo middle
Hydrogen bus at the Fronius-Solhub / © State of Upper Austria, Wolfsteiner
Photo below
Passenger compartment / © State of Upper Austria, Wolfsteiner
