Three hydrogen buses join 203 battery-electric buses in Sardinia’s capital

Cagliari, the capital city of Sardinia, has expanded its zero-emission public transport fleet with the introduction of three Solaris Urbino 12 Hydrogen buses. These vehicles are part of a larger procurement of 15 hydrogen buses facilitated by the Italian central purchasing body Consip. The local transport agency, CTM Cagliari, now operates a total of 236 electrified vehicles, including 203 battery-electric buses, 30 trolleybuses, and the newly added fuel cell buses, marking a significant step towards its goal of a fully zero-emission urban fleet by 2030. The Solaris Urbino 12 Hydrogen buses are designed for longer suburban routes, complementing the existing battery-electric fleet primarily used within the city. Each bus measures 12 metres in length and can carry up to 95 passengers. They are equipped with a 30 kWh lithium-titanate oxide (LTO) battery pack supplied by Impact Clean Power Technology, which supports a 70 kW Ballard fuel cell system. The hydrogen storage consists of five cylinders with a total capacity of 37 kilograms, allowing for extended range and operational flexibility. CTM Cagliari’s charging infrastructure is already well-developed, featuring 50 Level 2 chargers and 22 DC fast charging stations to support its extensive electric fleet. The addition of hydrogen buses reflects a strategic move to diversify energy sources and address the challenges of longer-distance routes that may not be as suitable for battery-electric vehicles alone. This hybrid approach underlines the agency’s commitment to innovation and sustainability in public transport. Fabrizio Rodin, President of CTM, highlighted the significance of introducing hydrogen buses to Sardinia, noting that these are the first of their kind on the island. He emphasised the agency’s cautious but optimistic approach, committing to thorough evaluations to ensure the technology meets operational needs and environmental goals. The deployment of these buses is expected to provide valuable insights into the practicalities of hydrogen fuel cell technology in a Mediterranean urban context. Looking ahead, CTM’s integration of hydrogen buses alongside a robust battery-electric fleet positions Cagliari as a forward-thinking city in the transition to zero-emission public transport. The agency’s efforts contribute to broader European ambitions to reduce urban air pollution and carbon emissions. As hydrogen technology matures, the experience gained in Sardinia may inform future deployments across Italy and beyond.