DaimlerChrysler has delivered its first fuel-cell-powered Citaro bus to the city of Madrid, Spain, marking a milestone in the development of zero-emission fuel-cell technology for transportation.
A total of 30 DaimlerChrysler fuel-cell buses, including two more in this Spanish capital, will go into service in 10 European cities this year, enabling DaimlerChrysler engineers to monitor the performance of their fuel-cell buses in daily service.
The goal is to test both the vehicles' engineering and the fuel infrastructure, as well as to test-market the technology's acceptance by the public. The city buses will also be in service in Amsterdam, Barcelona, Hamburg, London, Luxembourg, Porto, Reykjavik, Stockholm, and Stuttgart.
The initial trial of the Citaro fuel cell buses will run for two years, providing detailed information about the vehicle's performance and engineering, the fuel infrastructure and maintenance, and servicing requirements.
Citaro fuel-cell buses have a range of about 125 miles (200 kilometers), carry up to 70 passengers, and can reach a top speed of about 50 mph (80 km/hour). The fuel cell, which generates more than 200 kilowatts of power, is housed on the roof of the Citaro bus, along with the 5,000-psi (350-bar) hydrogen storage cylinders.