Hyundai ELEC CITY is the first hydrogen bus in regular service in Austria • Three Hyundai ELEC CITY buses are used as part of the "HyBus Implementation" project • Research into the interaction of the individual processes in the overall system of hydrogen logistics • This project also demonstrates Hyundai's openness to technology Proof once Again Hyundai's research into hydrogen technology started back in 1998. In 2013, the ix35 Fuel Cell was the first mass-produced hydrogen vehicle to hit the market. Since the beginning of research and development, big steps have been taken and three more big milestones have been achieved in the last 4 years: 2018: Hyundai Nexo as a fuel cell SUV. • 2020: Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell Truck: the world's first series fuel cell truck. • 2020: Fourth generation Hyundai ELEC CITY Fuel Cell city bus. The green commercial vehicle of the next generation: hydrogen-powered ELEC CITY Fuel Cell Bus

The Hyundai ELEC CITY Fuel Cell Bus, with a very pleasing design, measures 10.99 meters in length, 2.49 meters in width, has a wheelbase of 5.4 meters, a height of 3.47 meters and has a Capacity of 25 seats (incl. driver's seat) and up to 36 standing places. Its own weight is 12,660 kg, the permissible total weight is 16,900 kg. The manoeuvrable city bus with a turning circle radius of 10.8 meters has a headroom of 2.36 meters in the passenger compartment, and sufficient handrails are also installed. The ELEC CITY has a low-floor design up to the rear axle, including wall-mounted passenger seats. The ELEC CITY rolls on 275/70 R 22.5 tires on the front and rear axles.

Hyundai relies on the liquid-cooled ZF asynchronous central motor Cetrax CX 220 110 B with 180 kW rated continuous power. The energy for the drive is supplied by two 90 kW fuel cell modules connected in parallel, which are located in the classic engine compartment at the rear. Liquid-cooled, modular, lithium-ion buffer batteries are installed in the front roof area. The five carbon fiber reinforced pressure tanks, each with a capacity of 175 liters, are also installed in the roof area. It can carry around 33.15 kg of hydrogen. Depending on the temperature, road conditions and driving style, the range is up to 550 km.

After a three-digit number of ELEC CITY city buses have already successfully mastered their daily practical use in the home market, testing is now also being carried out in other markets, including Europe. After an FCEV ELEC CITY bus approved by the Hyundai Motor Technical Center Europe has been in use since June 2021 and has been briefly tested by numerous bus operators throughout Europe, the FCEV ELEC CITY bus is being used in Austria for the first time as part of the "HyBus Implementation" project the long-term test.

Since the introduction of the FCEV ix35, Hyundai Import GesmbH has been pioneering the development of hydrogen mobility from the very beginning. In the course of the rollout of hydrogen mobility, under the aegis of Mag. Roland Punzengruber, Managing Director of Hyundai Import GesmbH, together with Dr. Ernst and Nikolaus Fleischhacker founded the "Green Energy Center Europe" in Innsbruck.

This private-sector initiative serves to build bridges to a green future. In the context of numerous approaches to the rollout of hydrogen mobility, it quickly became clear that the "chicken and egg" problem can only be crowned with success if all stakeholders are brought together in a structured process in a targeted manner. The accelerated development of green hydrogen production and the expansion of the filling station network can only be represented by heavy traffic.

At the time the initiative was launched, the commercial framework conditions in Austria for the hydrogen truck were not yet in place. Due to the European “Clean Vehicle Directive”, however, rapid implementation must be carried out in public transport (local public transport / buses). Therefore, the focus on the hydrogen bus was obvious and the initial spark for the "HyBus Implementation" project was given.

Due to the European “Clean Vehicle Directive”, however, rapid implementation must be carried out in public transport (local public transport / buses). Therefore, the focus on the hydrogen bus was obvious and the initial spark for the "HyBus Implementation" project was given. Due to the European “Clean Vehicle Directive”, however, rapid implementation must be carried out in public transport (local public transport / buses). Therefore, the focus on the hydrogen bus was obvious and the initial spark for the "HyBus Implementation" project was given.

In the HyBus Implementation project, Austria's first hydrogen buses are used in a large-scale national long-term demonstration in urban, regional and alpine public transport in the east (Vienna), south (Graz) and west (Tyrol) of Austria. Above all, the criteria for the quality-assured operation and procurement of hydrogen fuel cell buses are researched and defined. The project is supported by the Austrian Climate and Energy Fund with €1.8 million.

"Exactly 30 years after the start of Hyundai passenger car sales activities in Austria, I am very pleased that Hyundai, as a pioneer in alternative drive systems, is once again living up to its game-changing role and is bringing hydrogen-electric buses to Austria for the first time with the Hyundai ELEC CITY, and with it Austrian history in public transport - for a sustainable and climate-neutral future," says Mag. Roland Punzengruber, Managing Director of Hyundai Import GesmbH.

"We are very pleased that our ELEC CITY Fuel Cell Bus will be launched in Austria. The HyBus project is a great opportunity for us to gather information and experience that will help us to develop our vehicles to meet the requirements of our European customers," said Mark Freymuller, Senior Vice President and Head of Commercial Vehicle Business Innovation, Hyundai Motor Company.

Image: fltr: DI Dr. Nikolaus Fleischhacker, Managing Director, Fen Research GmbH / DI Theresia Vogel, Managing Director Climate & Energy Fund / Mari Matsuo, Hyundai Motor Europe / DI Andreas Solymos, Head of Planning and Infrastructure Holding Graz / Mag. Mark Perz, Board Member Holding Graz / DI Peter Wiesinger, Head of the motor vehicle department at Wiener Linien

Austria: First Hyundai Hydrogen Fuel Cell Powered Bus in Regular Service