Van Hool Exqui.City 18 Fébus France '2019

October 2022

In line with its climate action and mobility policies, in 2017 the City of Pau decided to invest in a zero-emission fleet composed of eight 18m-long fuel cell-powered buses (a world first) and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure.

Pau has developed several innovative solutions in the past few years to decarbonise sectors such as mobility and heat production. One of the best examples is the launch of the first hydrogen-powered 18 metre bus fleet in France. These 8 vehicles, known as FÉBUS buses, connect the city’s main points of activity situated between the hospital and the railway station, such as the university campus and administrative, commercial and leisure hubs. The city has created dedicated bus lanes along 85% of the 11 km bus route to ensure a high-quality, reliable service. Thanks to the creation of this “Bus Rapid Transit” route, people can now travel across the city in 17 minutes.

FÉBUS buses use fuel cells for primary power and lithium batteries for additional power when needed. The buses have onboard fuel cell power modules and generate electricity through an electrochemical reaction – the reverse of electrolysis. The only substances emitted are water and heat. The electricity generated by the fuel cells feeds the hybrid electric engines and charges the energy storage system. Regenerative braking on the buses increases the fuel economy, and the high-pressure tanks on the roof of each bus store hydrogen fuel to ensure a full day of operation.

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