(Dunkirk / France) – The French bus manufacturer SAFRA has won a tender from the city of Dunkerque to supply ten hydrogen-powered buses. According to the information, the municipal association decided on the new generation of the “Hycity” type, a twelve-meter-long version with three doors, which replaces the predecessor “Businova H2” used in several French networks.
“Businova H2”: SAFRA’s previous hydrogen bus will be replaced by the new Hycity model. © SAFRA
According to the information, the vehicle is “the only hydrogen bus manufactured in France”. The fuel cells come from Symbio, a hydrogen technology joint venture between the tire manufacturer Michelin and the automotive supplier Faurecia.
The drive train consists of six plastic tanks manufactured by Plastic Omnium with a total capacity of 35 kilograms, a fuel cell with an output of 45 kilowatts (usable power 30 kilowatts), a nickel-manganese-cobalt battery (NMC) with a capacity of 130 kilowatt hours and axles , which are powered by two engines with 125 kilowatts each.
The vehicles are intended for the 17-community public network of the Communauté Urbaine de Dunkerque (CUD). There are currently 162 buses running there, 98 of which run on biogas (BioGNV) and three with electric drive. The municipalities are working on converting their vehicle fleets to be completely emission-free.
Colorful buses and free public transport
In order to make local public transport (ÖPNV) more attractive, the CUD decided in 2018 to make the transport network “visible” with colorful buses and to offer its use completely free of charge.
The Dunkerque region is also focusing on the development of the hydrogen sector to decarbonize its port area. As it is said, “very large quantities” of hydrogen will be produced there to replace fossil fuels and reuse the captured CO2. This will also benefit heavy goods traffic and thus the new bus fleet, which will be partly financed by the state energy agency ADEME.
The contract with SAFRA also includes complete maintenance for the vehicles over a period of three years. According to the company, it is a “full hydrogen vehicle”, so there is no need to charge it in the depot in the evening. The vehicles are scheduled to operate on the city's network on the Channel coast from 2024.
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Colorful buses are intended to advertise free public transport in Dunkerque (Dunkirk) and make it “visible”. © SAFRA
