Hydrogen bus trial

We took part in a really successful trial called CUTE (Clean Urban Transport for Europe), which tested the first generation of zero-emission fuel cell buses.

The trial was the largest of its type anywhere in the world. It was really important because local air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and inner-city noise are major causes for concern.

Results

The project delivered outstanding results on reliability, with the buses being operationally available 90 per cent of the time over the three years.

We want to introduce ten hydrogen buses by 2010

We were so pleased by the trial that we now want to introduce ten hydrogen buses by 2010.

About the CUTE trial

The project brought together a large number of organisations, including:

The bus manufacturer
Operating companies
Hydrogen suppliers
Fuelling and storage facilities
Universities

It is part of the ongoing development of clean urban transport which combines energy efficiency with cost-effectiveness.

Having taken part in the trial, London will have made a major contribution to a much-needed initiative.

About the trial buses

See what the bus looked like at the London Transport Museum Depot

You can see what the trial bus looked like at the London Transport Museum Depot in Acton. Bear in mind that we have removed the fuel cell technology to be analysed. Find out about opening times.

The Mercedes Citaro buses, which were built by Daimler Chrysler especially for this trial, used the latest fuel cell and hydrogen technology and ran on route RV1 between Covent Garden and Tower Gateway. As conventional Citaro buses already run this route it helped in comparing the performance between fuel cell and diesel vehicles.

Find out more about the CUTE trial
Learn more about the one-year extension under HYFLEET:CUTE

Who took part

Nine cities in Europe originally took part in the fuel cell bus trial which ended in December 2005. Seven cities took part in a one year extension known as HYFLEET:CUTE.

The European Union

The European Union co-financed the trial, with the support of the European Commission Directorate-General for Energy and Transport.

London Buses

London Buses, part of Transport for London, is responsible for achieving environmental targets and standards for the whole of London's bus fleet, as required by the Mayor's Air Quality Strategy.

First Group

The First Group operates around one sixth of the London bus network. The company's experience, support and expertise in transit management was crucial in ensuring the trial was conducted and assessed to rigorous standards.

BP

BP provided the hydrogen-refuelling facilities for the fuel cell buses. BP also provided the fuelling infrastructure for a number of the other cities in the HyFLEET:CUTE project and demonstrated a range of different hydrogen technologies in each location.