Palma is the first Spanish city to receive the new 18-metre hydrogen bus model that will be running in tests this June
The Municipal Transport Company (EMT) has taken delivery of the first 18-metre hydrogen bus, model “Urbino 18 Hydrogen”, which will circulate in tests this June. This prototype will circulate over the next few weeks on different lines of the EMT network in Palma in order to test its adaptation to the city’s orography, turns and traffic.
Image during the presentation of the new ETM bus model. Photo: Ajuntament de Palma.
This new bus, which has been loaned to the EMT Palma by the company Solaris, which is the manufacturer of the first five 12-metre green hydrogen buses acquired by the municipal company, allows future acquisitions of this model to be assessed. It should be remembered that the new renewable hydrogen buses are part of the “Power to Green Enagás Hydrogen Mallorca” project.
The prototype vehicle that will be circulating around Palma these days is an articulated vehicle with 50 seats and advanced driver assistance systems.
Palma has also received 13,176,476 million euros in Next Generation funds for five projects within the framework of the second call for applications of the programme of aid to municipalities to implement low-emission zones and digital and sustainable transformation. One of the five projects that has received aid is the purchase of Class 1 hydrogen and electric buses for EMT Palma for an amount of 5,610,000 euros.
Renewal of the EMT fleet
The second phase of renovation of the EMT Palma fleet has involved the arrival of a total of 65 new vehicles, 44 of which are 18-metre gas-powered buses, half of which are already running in Palma; four 8-metre mini buses with natural gas, the first of which is running on Line 9 from Son Espanyol; and five new 12-metre hydrogen buses.
As the City Council explains in a press release, the benefits that this fleet renewal is bringing to the new service are as follows: More than 30% more capacity; Better frequencies; Greater punctuality; Better information to the user about the bus arrival time; More accessible buses; The acquisition of new buses will also make it possible to implement new accessibility improvements to the fleet for other groups with functional diversity.
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