Irizar’s i6S Efficient Hydrogen coach has driven 2,500km between the towns of Ormaiztegi in Spain, where the manufacturer is based, and Briançon in the French Alps, demonstrating a range of 900km during the test trip. The vehicle passed 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 metres, Irizar says. The company believes that it has set a new record for the longest distance ever driven by a hydrogen coach in Europe, representing what it calls a huge milestone in the field of sustainable mobility.
On the round trip, the i6S coach tested hydrogen refuelling speeds at multiple stations, registering a full refuelling time of under 20 minutes. Irizar says the trip has further proven that it is at the forefront of technological progress with
its robust commitment to smart, connected, zero-emissions and multi-technology mobility solutions.
During the journey, the coach was shown to numerous institutions in the French region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, which Irizar says generated significant interest and enthusiasm for the potential of the innovative technology. This event marked a crucial step in showcasing hydrogen’s potential as a viable and sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuels, the manufacturer claims.
“We’re extremely proud of this achievement,” said Irizar’s Export Director Javier Goikoetxea. “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.”
The Irizar i6S Efficient Hydrogen was displayed for the first time at the Busworld Europe in Brussels in 2023, and was the first European zero-emissions hydrogen coach. Irizar says the project outlines its commitment to providing a complete range of zero-emissions vehicles for short and long distances, and marks a milestone in its journey towards developing the sustainable mobility solutions of the future.
The vehicle uses a fuel cell, and 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, and Irizar says it is ready to begin mass production of the model and is already working on various related projects.
