Irizar has begun real-world passenger trials of the second generation of its i6S Efficient Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV), with the zero-emission coach operating on regular routes in the Madrid region as the company prepares for commercial production in 2027.
The hydrogen-powered coach has been in service throughout June and July with Spanish transport operator Alsa, running on routes managed by the Madrid Regional Transport Consortium. The demonstration follows the vehicle’s official presentation earlier this year during the general assembly of SHYNE (Spanish Hydrogen Network) after successfully completing type approval.
Designed for both intercity and long-distance transport, the latest version of the i6S Efficient H2 features a 190 kW hydrogen fuel cell supplied by Bosch paired with an electric drivetrain. The vehicle offers a driving range of more than 1,000 kilometres and can be refuelled in approximately 10 to 15 minutes, enabling operating characteristics similar to those of conventional diesel coaches.
The coach accommodates 69 seated passengers and up to 18 standing passengers, while also offering increased luggage capacity compared with the previous generation. According to Irizar, the new model is lighter than its predecessor and delivers improvements in passenger capacity, efficiency and operational range.
The ongoing trials are intended to validate the vehicle’s performance under everyday operating conditions across a variety of demanding routes, demonstrating the potential of hydrogen fuel cell technology for long-distance public transport.
Hydrogen fuel cell coaches are attracting growing interest because they combine zero tailpipe emissions with fast refuelling and long driving ranges, making them well suited for routes where battery-electric buses may face limitations due to charging times or range requirements.
The new model builds on Irizar’s first-generation hydrogen coach, unveiled in late 2023. That vehicle completed a 2,500-kilometre journey from the company’s headquarters in Ormaiztegi, Spain, to Briançon in the French Alps, setting what Irizar described as Europe’s longest journey completed by a hydrogen-powered coach.
Commercial production of the second-generation i6S Efficient H2 is expected to begin during the first half of 2027. The vehicle forms part of Irizar’s broader strategy to develop multiple zero-emission technologies, including hydrogen fuel cells, to support the decarbonisation of passenger transport across Europe.