Irizar’s i6S Efficient Hydrogen coach has demonstrated a range of 900km (559.2miles) in a trial.

The hydrogen coach has driven 2,500km between Irizar’s hometown of Ormaiztegi (Gipuzkoa, Spain) and Briançon (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 1,400m. With this test trip, Irizar says it has broken the record for the longest distance ever driven by a hydrogen coach in Europe.

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.

Javier Goikoetxea, Irizar’s Export Director, said: “We’re extremely proud of this achievement,”. “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.”

Ready for mass production

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.

The vehicle generates power through an electrolysis process that occurs in the fuel cell, while drive is provided by a 510horsepower electric motor with an integrated three-speed gearbox. The coach’s main components are developed and supplied by European partners. Irizar says it is ready for mass production of the coach and is already working on various related projects.

Irizar’s range of hydrogen vehicles have the capability to operate in electric mode when specific situations make this necessary.