Hong Kong's first hydrogen bus to roll into service early next year

Hong Kong's first hydrogen double-decker bus, purchased by Citybus, has obtained the Transport Department’s permission to provide services on Kowloon side in January next year at the earliest.

According to Citybus, hydrogen buses are more environmentally friendly than diesel buses, where hydrogen is transformed into electricity via a chemical reaction and is used to power the buses. Only water is emitted during the process, resulting in “zero emissions” when operating on Hong Kong roads.

Each refueling will take about 15 minutes, allowing the bus to run for up to 400 kilometers, said the bus firm.

According to Citybus, hydrogen energy development in Hong Kong is still in its early stages, with limited fuel providers to choose from.

It is expected that when hydrogen energy development matures in the future, there will be more options for the firm to choose from, including the ability to import green hydrogen generated with renewable energy from other countries.

Meanwhile, Citybus said hydrogen vehicles are not permitted to travel through tunnels under Hong Kong regulations, and that the bus will only operate on Kowloon side in the meantime.

The firm also said the bus has already passed various international safety tests and can withstand impacts. The bus also has various monitoring systems installed, while the bus drivers have received adequate training.

Commenting on the long-term goals of replacing diesel buses with zero-emission buses by 2045, Citybus said the firm will, in the next year, collect data for the buses to better understand their road performances, in order to draw up the ratio between electric and hydrogen buses to be used in its fleet.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said he was delighted over the launch of Hong Kong's first hydrogen bus, which has established an important milestone for the usage of new energy vehicles in the city.

“The government will continue to support hydrogen fuel technology trial projects on the mainland and internationally,” Lee said.

He also said that the government will use its experience in hydrogen energy development to create a local safe operating framework and rules for long-term hydrogen fuel use, as well as to encourage the development of Hong Kong's hydrogen economy.