First HK hydrogen bus begin road testing

Citybus began its non-passenger road testing for the hydrogen buses on Monday, with plans to put the vehicles into service within a month.

Citybus launched its first hydrogen double-deck bus and hydrogen refueling station at the end of last year.

Since then, they have worked closely with various authorities and conducted testing and personnel training to prepare for the hydrogen buses' in-service deployment.

The company added that it had also conducted a 200-kilometer driving test at the West Kowloon Depot per government requirements and used hydrogen refueling stations for multiple refuelings.

The hydrogen bus will begin its non-passenger road testing and will be deployed in the Kai Tak operating area, providing customer service in the initial stage.

The live road testing will help gather more operational statistics and data on the bus's performance before putting it into passenger service.

The spokesman stated that the opportunity for the public to experience this brand-new hydrogen vehicle within a month is a significant milestone in the new chapter of the hydrogen era in Hong Kong.

The company also added that a side-by-side plan will be carried out on Hong Kong Island this year, which will see diesel, electric, and hydrogen buses run on the same route for comparison to help determine the proportion of electric and hydrogen buses in future large-scale procurement. 

Citybus hoped its fleet would be all in new energy buses in 2045.