🇫🇮 Hydrogen buses started operating in Jyväskylä

The fleet has been handed over to Koiviston Auto Jyväskylä, which is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the buses. The service will be launched in stages in cooperation with Jyväskylä Region Public Transport.

In the project, the hydrogen buses will be handed over to Koiviston Auto Jyväskylä on a two-year operating lease, and Cefmof will also support the piloting with operating costs if necessary. In addition, the manufacturer CaetanoBus will be involved in the pilot, transportation and allow for the collection of practical experience,ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and be designed  providing technical support for the further development of the fleet for northern conditions.

Cefmof’s aim is to promote the introduction of clean transport solutions in Jyväskylä and to provide residents and operators with experience and practical information on the possibilities of using hydrogen. The hydrogen bus project is closely linked to the construction of a hydrogen refuelling station in Jyväskylä. The filling station will enable the practical use of hydrogen in transport and allow the collection of experience at a practical level.

The hydrogen refuelling station will serve both heavy transport, such as buses and lorries, and lighter vehicles, such as cars, taxis and vans. When completed, the station will be an integral part of the carbon-neutral green hydrogen ecosystem being built in Central Finland. Hydrogen buses will provide the necessary steady, daily demand for hydrogen.

In 2024, the hydrogen buses will have defined technical requirements, ensured compliance with regulatory requirements and designed a layout in line with the Jyväskylä Region Public Transport Link logo. In addition, the requirements for the bus depot and maintenance facilities for the introduction of the new technology have been clarified. Koivisto Auto mechanics have already been trained to service the hydrogen buses, and driver training started in the summer after the buses arrived in Jyväskylä.

From the point of view of public transport in the Jyväskylä region, the piloting of hydrogen buses is a step towards more low-emission and diversified public transport. Hydrogen buses will complement public transport in the region, alongside other propulsion systems such as electricity, biogas and renewable diesel buses.

The two-year pilot project will provide an opportunity to test the performance of the fleet, especially in Finland’s varying weather conditions. The experience gained will support the wider deployment of hydrogen vehicles in Jyväskylä as well as in other Finnish and Nordic cities. The project has already attracted widespread interest elsewhere, and Cefmof is currently planning to launch a research collaboration to document and share the experience.