Haute-Tarentaise: H2 buses tested on French pilot territory at 2100 m of altitude

Jun 3, 2024

On April 10th, AURA-EE and Tenerrdis tested a Hycity hydrogen shuttle bus at an altitude of 2100 meters in the mountains. An event organized by HYmpulsion, SAFRA, GEG – Gaz Electricité de Grenoble and the Régie de Tignes.

Test results
The Hycity bus successfully negotiated the 550-meter vertical drop and the spring snow without difficulty, proving the effectiveness of hydrogen technology in mountain conditions.

Technical specifications
The Hycity bus, manufactured by SAFRA in Albi, is equipped with a SYMBIO fuel cell produced in the Lyon region.

Its main characteristics are:

* Decarbonation: It helps reduce CO2 emissions in the transport sector.
* Autonomy: It has a minimum range of 350 km.
* Fast charging: Recharging time is short, improving operational efficiency.

Regional deployment
Following this conclusive test, regional deployment is planned with the introduction of ten Hycity buses in Clermont-Ferrand and Région Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes coaches. Atawey will also be installing additional charging stations.

This experiment marks a significant step forward in sustainable mobility, demonstrating the potential of hydrogen-powered buses for mountainous areas.