Irizar makes history with the Irizar i6S Efficient Hydrogen coach
The Irizar i6S Efficient Hydrogen coach has driven 2,500 km between the towns of Ormaiztegi (Gipuzkoa, Spain) and Briançon (French Alps), demonstrating a range of 900 km during the test.
The Irizar i6S Efficient Hydrogen coach has successfully completed a round trip between Ormaiztegi, where the company is headquartered, and the town of Briançon in the French Alps. The total distance covered was 2,500 km, with the vehicle passing through various towns in the Pyrenees and Provence region before arriving at the French Alps, where it successfully overcame a total elevation gain of more than 1,400 meters. With this test trip, Irizar has broken the record for the longest distance ever driven by a hydrogen coach in Europe, representing a huge milestone in the field of sustainable mobility.
On this A-B-A journey, the Irizar i6S Efficient Hydrogen coach tested hydrogen refuelling speeds at multiple stations, registering a full refuelling time of sub-20 minutes. By doing so, Irizar has once more positioned itself at the forefront of technological progress by outlining a robust commitment to smart, connected, zero-emissions and multi-technology mobility solutions.
During the journey, the coach was presented to different institutions in the French region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, sparking huge interest and enthusiasm for the enormous potential of this innovative technology. This event marked a crucial step in showcasing hydrogen’s potential as a viable and sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuels.
“We're extremely proud of this achievement,” said Javier Goikoetxea, Irizar's Export Director. “Not only does it reinforce our position as pioneers in the sustainable mobility space, but it also opens up new opportunities for the Europe-wide adoption of clean technologies.”
Irizar i6S Efficient Hydrogen
The Irizar i6S Efficient Hydrogen, presented for the first time at the Busworld International Fair in 2023, is the first European zero-emissions H2 coach. This project outlines Irizar’s firm commitment to providing a complete range of zero-emissions vehicles for short and long distances, and marks a huge milestone in our journey towards developing the sustainable mobility solutions of the future.
The vehicle generates power through an electrolysis process that occurs in the fuel cell, while drive is provided by a 510-horsepower electric motor with an integrated three-speed gearbox. The coach’s main components are developed and supplied by European partners. Irizar is ready for mass production of this innovative coach model and is already working on various related projects.
Thanks to the vehicle’s reduced refuelling times, our customers will be able to maintain optimal and flexible operations with no interruptions to their usual routes and schedules. Additionally, Irizar’s range of hydrogen vehicles have the capability to operate in electric mode when specific situations make this necessary. The impressive durability of the coach’s main parts, designed to extend service life with the minimum possible maintenance, is also notable.
Irizar continues to lead the charge toward a greener future, proving that innovation and sustainability can go hand-in-hand to create efficient, reliable and eco-friendly transport solutions.