High V.LO-City project launches demonstration site for fuel cell electric buses in Sanremo, Italy

30th November 2018  marks the official launch of the Sanremo site of the High V.LO-City project by the Mayor of Sanremo, Alberto Biancheri. Three fuel cell electric buses and their hydrogen refuelling infrastructure have been deployed in the city.

The deployment and testing of the buses is part of the High V.LO-City project. The project is the 3th FCB project co-funded by the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking.
Bart Biebuyck, Executive Director at the FCH-JU, said: ‘Supporting the development of fuel cell buses, from making a business case to proving commercial viability, is an ongoing journey for the FCH JU. High V.LO-City is important as it successfully trials small bus fleets in various cities in the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium and today in Italy. The project is proving that fuel cell buses can operate with the same flexibility as diesel buses preserving the productivity of public transport without noise, emissions or particle pollution. Altogether, hydrogen buses represent a strategic choice for cities such as Sanremo, which are striving to improve the quality of life for their citizens.’

The three Van Hool buses are operated by the local bus operator Riviera Transporti and are replacing conventional diesel fuel buses, in an effort to cut emissions from public transport in the city. The three buses will enter in full operation at the beginning of December. Bus drivers have been trained to operate the buses as well as to refuel them. They have also been trained by Ballard, the fuel cell provider.

The buses will be operated on the Sanremo – Taggia suburban line, which is about 14km long. Sandro Corrado, Director at Riviera Transporti, said: ‘The line was served by trolley buses until the first years of this century. Several roundabouts where then built along the road and the trolley line was abandoned, replaced by diesel buses. I am sure the passengers and inhabitants of Arma and Taggia will welcome the return of silent, electric buses with the fuel cell buses’.

Download here the press release