In an initial procurement phase, Regionalverkehr Köln GmbH (RVK) placed an order for up to 100 hydrogen-powered fuel cell hybrid buses. These were made possible by the recently announced funding from the Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs and Transport. In the Europe-wide bidding process for hydrogen-powered buses, Solaris Bus & Coach SA was awarded 20 guaranteed and 20 optional buses, and WrightBus received 20 guaranteed and 40 optional buses.
“Thanks to the funding from the Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs and Transport and the speedy call for tenders, we are making great strides towards our goal of ‘zero emissions’,” says Dr. Marcel Frank, Managing Director of RVK. “We look forward to the soon delivery of the Solaris buses and to gaining new experience with Wrightbus as an additional manufacturer – this is of great importance as we convert our fleet.”
Solaris and Wrightbus are awarded the contract
The company Solaris Bus & Coach SA took part in the tender and was awarded the contract for a total of 20 guaranteed and 20 optional hydrogen-powered fuel cell hybrid buses. According to the current status, the first 20 solo buses will be delivered by the end of this year and gradually integrated into the RVK fleet.
In addition to the models from Van Hool and Solaris, Wrightbus is another manufacturer to expand the RVK bus fleet. The Northern Irish company won the tender for 20 guaranteed and 40 optional hydrogen-powered buses. The 20 hydrogen solo buses, which have been adapted to German conditions, are expected to be delivered by the end of 2023.
In the fourth quarter of 2022, the first hydrogen articulated buses will probably be tested by the RVK, as these are not yet available on the market.
The buses are funded by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport as part of the BMDV’s Bus/Rail funding guideline. The funding guideline is coordinated by NOW GmbH and implemented by the project management agency Jülich (PtJ).
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