As one of the early pioneers of waste-to-energy, Wuppertal, Germany is using local waste to produce green hydrogen to power the city’s growing fuel cell bus fleet. Wuppertal’s green initiative combines sustainability and technological advancement, leveraging Ballard Power Systems’ fuel cell engines to power buses using hydrogen derived from local municipal waste.
By integrating a waste-to-wheels initiative into the city’s energy supply, Wuppertal is using this forward-looking circular approach to deliver true zero-emission urban transport to its citizens. The first 10 fuel cell buses were introduced into service. Today, 10 Solaris hydrogen buses powered by Ballard’s fuel cells added to the fleet which are an essential component of the region’s public transport system. In 2025, Wuppertaler Stadtwerke will bring an additional 32 decarbonized buses powered by Ballard’s hydrogen fuel cells into operation.
In Wuppertal’s hilly landscape, fuel cell buses are proving particularly advantageous, delivering better performance, longer range and more service hours than battery electric alternatives. Running side-by-side with battery electric buses in the zero-emission fleet, the fuel cell buses offer two specific advantages for Wuppertal. Firstly, the uncompromised performance of fuel cell buses when tackling the region’s hilly landscape surpasses that of battery electric buses significantly. Secondly, and what sets Wuppertal’s project apart, is the source of its hydrogen fuel – waste. According to the city’s transport authority, this is the best solution for E-mobility in Wuppertal as the topography is difficult and cannot be managed by battery electric buses.
For more information, please visit our website: www.ballard.com