Alsa, the Spanish mobility operator, and the Community of Madrid have launched the first hydrogen bus to operate in Spain on a regular urban route. The bus was launched at an event held at the Puerta del Sol, Madrid, attended by the President of the Regional Government of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, together with the Regional Minister of Transport, Mobility and Infrastructure, Ángel Garrido, and Alsa Chairman, Jorge Cosmen.

Isabel Díaz Ayuso, President of Madrid Region, said: “Today a transport revolution begins. The Community of Madrid starts running the trial of the future transport, the non-polluting transport.”

Jorge Cosmen also highlighted that; “For Alsa, this is only the first step towards the development of wider projects to add hydrogen vehicles into our operations. A first step within a common and shared objective by society, administrations and operators to move towards a more sustainable mobility contributing to a better quality environment in our cities and regions”.

This bus features a pioneer propulsion technology, an hydrogen fuel cell with significant benefits for the environment, a zero pollution vehicle emitting only water vapour. It is also reported to be practically noiseless, featuring a totally silent electric engine. It compares favourably to electric buses as well because its battery provides a longer range. Hydrogen vehicles do not require long stops to recharge the battery while operating an urban route.

Trials in the Henares Corridor

Initially, Alsa bus will run optimisation trials on the bus performance and the recharging infrastructures, and later on will offer this service to the Transport Consortium of Madrid to operate on a regular basis on the roads of the Henares Corridor.

With this initiative, Madrid joins other European capital cities like London, Paris or Dublin which are also running trials with hydrogen buses. 

Committed to Hydrogen

Alsa is strongly committed to lead and be a benchmark company in the green transition process towards zero emission fleets. The company has made a major commitment to hydrogen. This technology will be living a powerful boost that will speed up the implementation significantly towards a more sustainable mobility.

This commitment to hydrogen is part of our strategy to protect the environment and improve sustainability, aligned with the Sustainable Development Objectives (SDO) and the Green Deal launched by the European Commission with the objective of reducing emissions in 2050.

While developing this technology, Alsa has set the goal to add hydrogen vehicles (fuel cell) into its regional and long-distance operations within a three-year period.

Alsa, a sustainable operator

Alsa has been leading the transition to clean technology fleets for a few years. Last year, the company added a total number of 63 Eco or Zero Emissions vehicles, including hybrid, electric or GLP buses. Also last year, the first first Autonomous Bus started running a public route on the campus of the Autonomous University of Madrid.

Alsa has also reduced the carbon footprint over the last five years by 11% in terms of direct Greenhouse emissions in tco2eq./100 Km from its activity. In the area of training and raising environmental awareness, the company develops Efficient Driving Programmes with the participation of near 2,000 drivers every year.

The next major commitment made by the company is that by 2030 all the new additions of urban buses will be zero emissions.

Thanks to this initiative, Alsa is building on its innovation strategy towards a more sustainable mobility, and the Community of Madrid, a world-wide pioneer in public transport management, is also precursor in introducing cleaner mobility alternatives.