In cooperation with the towns of Most and Litvínov, the refining and petrochemical group ORLEN Unipetrol carried out the second phase of the pilot operation of a hydrogen-fuelled bus developed by Slovak Mobility&Innovation Production s.r.o. “We had deployed the hydrogen bus along selected routes in Most and Litvínov between Monday, 5 February, and Sunday, 11 February,” explained Daniel Dunovský, director of the Most and Litvínov Public Transit Authority. He added: “We saw a seamless operation of the bus both in summer and winter. It is silent and has no emissions. We also had positive feedback from passengers. We are now working on recommendations for potentially integrating hydrogen-fuelled buses into our fleet.”
Daniel Dunovský also said: “During the winter test, the average consumption was 4.3 kg of hydrogen per 100 km. In summer, it was 3.37 kg per 100 km. The driving style and bus occupancy proved to be more important factors than the varying terrain of deployment. That also showed us the range of refuelling needs on individual days – from 3.2 to 5.5 kg of hydrogen per 100 km. We are pleased with the total results.”
The towns of Most and Litvínov, ORLEN Unipetrol and other entities are an active part of the hydrogen platform in the Ústí Region. Both towns are among the pioneers in hydrogen mobility in public transport.
“Reducing transport emissions is one of our decarbonisation targets. We see hydrogen as a tool to accomplish these goals. Hydrogen-fuelled buses lower the noise load and have zero emissions. As soon as we get an evaluation report from the public transport company, we will start discussing the options of deploying hydrogen buses in regular public transport operations on a permanent basis,” says Marek Hrvol, Mayor of the town of Most.
“Developing low-emission and zero-carbon mobility in public transport is also a topical issue for us. We are proud to be among the first towns with an option to test a hydrogen bus in public transport and be a step closer to implementing state-of-the-art and environmentally friendly technologies. The final decision on deploying hydrogen buses in public transport will result from further discussions,” added Kamila Bláhová, Mayor of the town of Litvínov.
Both towns closely cooperated with the ORLEN Unipetrol Group during the hydrogen bus trial. The Group mediated the hydrogen bus for the project and provided the funding support. “Hydrogen technology in transport is an ideal addition to battery-powered eMobility to support low-emission and zero-carbon passenger, public and freight transport, both on roads and railways,” explains Maciej Romanów, a member of the Board of Directors of the ORLEN Unipetrol Group. He adds: “We have a public hydrogen refuelling station on Road I/27 in Litvínov-Záluží. It is halfway through the main route between the two towns, i.e., it has an ideal position for the hydrogen bus operation.”
The low-floor electric bus with hydrogen fuel cells was developed and manufactured by Slovak Mobility&Innovation Production s.r.o. The bus is 7,982 mm long, 2,550 mm wide, and 2,940 mm high. Its maximum capacity is up to 68 passengers, including 20 seats. The fully air-conditioned bus has a hydrogen range of up to 350 km; an additional 100 km can be driven using a battery. The bus is driven by the Siemens Elfa electric motor with a total output of 125 kW and a torque of 1,019 Nm. The power to the electric motor is supplied by two accumulators with a total capacity of 70 kWh. The total capacity of four hydrogen tanks is 10.5 kg, and it takes ten minutes to refuel them.
The ORLEN Unipetrol Group is the largest refining and petrochemical company in the Czech Republic. It focuses on crude oil processing and the production, distribution and sale of vehicle fuels and petrochemical products – particularly plastics and fertilisers. It belongs among the key players on the Czech and Central European markets in all these areas. The ORLEN Unipetrol Group encompasses refineries and production plants in Litvínov and Kralupy nad Vltavou, Paramo in Pardubice, Spolana in Neratovice, REMAQ in Otrokovice, and two research centres in Litvínov and Brno. ORLEN Unipetrol also includes the ORLEN Benzina network of petrol stations in the Czech Republic and the ORLEN network in Slovakia and Hungary. ORLEN Unipetrol is one of the largest companies in the Czech Republic in terms of turnover. It employs almost 6,000 people. ORLEN Unipetrol is also a socially responsible company, particularly in the areas of supporting sustainable development, education, local communities and the environment. In 2005, ORLEN Unipetrol became part of the ORLEN Group, the largest oil refiner in Central Europe.
The network of ORLEN filling stations is part of the ORLEN Unipetrol Group, a member of the international ORLEN Group. It operates the largest chain of filling stations in the Czech Republic. In addition to Efecta fuels with a purifying effect, ORLEN offers top-quality Verva fuels that also provide maximum performance parameters. The ORLEN network of filling stations also offers alternative drives, including liquified petroleum gas (LPG) and compressed natural gas (CNG). ORLEN also has the largest network of charging points for electric vehicles. It operates two hydrogen filling stations in Prague-Barrandov and in Litvínov. ORLEN also offers a broad refreshment portfolio within its Stop Café concept. The network issues it’s EASY and BUSINESS fuel cards and offers customers two mobile applications – the ORLEN loyalty app and the car care application, Mycí digi linka. In total, ORLEN operates 436 filling stations in the Czech Republic and has a market share of 27.5%. Consumer confidence was confirmed by the network of ORLEN filling stations being six times awarded the title of the Most Trusted Brand in the Czech Republic.