In Sweden, a regional transport company has purchased two hydrogen buses and spent a total of 15 million kroner on them, without considering whether the buses can be refueled.
A regional transport company in Sweden invested millions of kroner in two hydrogen buses for Sandviken without ensuring that the buses could be refueled.
Hydrogen buses are seen by many as part of the solution to making heavy transport more environmentally friendly, but the infrastructure is lagging behind. Although Sandviken has had a hydrogen filling station since 2016, it turned out to be an expensive mistake for X-trafik.
The transport company bought two buses for 15 million Swedish kronor. But when they arrived, it was discovered that the filling station could not deliver the necessary pressure of 350 bar. The station was only suitable for passenger cars, which fill up at 700 bar.
– We were very surprised, says Andreas Eriksson, head of regional traffic at X-trafik, about the discovery to Sveriges Radio .
The consequence is that the hydrogen buses have been unused since 2021. The inactivity has cost 3.6 million kroner in depreciation, while the total investment amounts to 15 million kroner.
Only now, after the new owner of the gas station, Hynion, has upgraded the facility to be able to refuel at 350 bar, can the hydrogen buses finally be put into use.
This case illustrates the challenges that can arise when implementing new technology. Although hydrogen buses have the potential to reduce CO2 emissions, it is crucial to secure the necessary infrastructure before investing in the vehicles.
Lack of coordination between the procurement of hydrogen buses and the establishment of appropriate refueling facilities can lead to significant economic losses and delay the green transition.
It is therefore essential that transport companies and authorities collaborate to develop a coherent strategy for the deployment of hydrogen buses and the associated infrastructure.
Here in Denmark, there is not much to catch up on either. At least not when it comes to the possibilities of refueling with hydrogen. The last hydrogen stations were taken out of service in September 2023. But now a new law from the EU could force Denmark to reopen the hydrogen stations. Read more about it here.
