Introduced in Vienna: Hydrogen buses are revolutionizing city transport!

Introduced in Vienna: Hydrogen buses are revolutionizing city transport!

Wiener Linien is starting a new era in urban mobility: from September 2025, ten emission-free hydrogen e-buses will be used on lines 2A and 3A. These modern vehicles from the Italian manufacturer Rampini are the first of their kind to be used in regular scheduled service in Vienna. So reported news.at about the first steps towards a sustainable future.

The new hydrogen buses, which have a combination of battery drive and hydrogen fuel cell, are characterized by an increased range. The mayor and traffic experts are enthusiastic about the fact that the buses can complete the entire day of operation without needing to be charged. This minimizes the need for charging infrastructure in the city center.

Technical aspects and savings

Equipped with a 230 kW electric motor and a 170 kWh battery, the Rampini “Hydron” vehicles are not only powerful but also efficient. The investment for the new buses and the necessary infrastructure amounts to around twelve million euros. This is financed thanks to a partnership between Wiener Linien, the Ministry for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure and EU funding, such as Vienna press supplemented.

The buses can accommodate a total of 42 passengers, including 13 seated and 28 standing. What is particularly noteworthy is the fact that the fleet for lines 2A and 3A can be reduced from the original twelve to just ten buses. This is not only progress for the environment, but also a smart business move. This also reduces the need for vehicles - a win-win situation for everyone involved!

Green energy for Vienna

Another important point is the production of the required hydrogen. Wien Energie will produce this from renewable energies, which will further advance the city's sustainability strategy. From 2024, a competence center for electromobility will also be opened in Siebenhirten, which will focus on further developments - such as converting nine bus lines to electric drives and testing various bus models with electric and hydrogen drives.

The use of a hydrogen test bus from Hyundai is also planned, which underlines Vienna's emission-free ambitions. This test bus is the first of its kind in Europe and, with a range of up to 500 kilometers, could even outshine traditional diesel buses, as shown on 5min.at is reported.

All in all, the new hydrogen operation will not only represent an environmentally friendly alternative, but could also be the key to putting Vienna on the path to climate neutrality by 2040. A courageous step into the future that should not only improve air quality, but also the quality of life of Vienna's citizens.