The Irizar i6S Efficient Hydrogen zero-emission model has been recognised as 2024 Coach of the Year in Spain.
Senior representatives of Irizar including Irizar Group CEO Imanol Rego collected the award at an event in Madrid on 24 January. The hydrogen fuel cell-electric coach made its debut in proof-of-concept form at Busworld Brussels during October 2023.
That seed vehicle is currently undergoing testing, with the resulting knowledge accumulation being “key for shaping the future range of hydrogen vehicles,” Irizar says. The Spanish OEM adds that the i6S Efficient Hydrogen demonstrates a commitment “to providing a complete range of zero-emission vehicles for short and long distances.”
Recognition of the ground-breaking model as Coach of the Year in Spain is a ninth occasion upon which Irizar has won that prize. Previously, its Century, PB, i6, i6S, i6S Efficient and i8 have each been victorious.
Mr Rego notes that Irizar Group is “focusing all our efforts on decarbonisation and reducing the consumption and emissions of our vehicles.” He believes that the future of that work will be “multi-technological,” with the i6S Efficient Hydrogen proof of that.
Irizar Commercial Director for Spain Mikel Perez describes the hydrogen fuel cell-electric coach as “a pioneering project that puts Irizar back at the technological forefront on the path to the sustainable mobility of the future.”
The Spanish company developed the i6S Efficient Hydrogen in-house with the assistance of suppliers and technology centres.
It promises a range of up to 1,000km and a fuelling time of around 20 minutes, which Irizar says will allow current diesel coach usage applications to be replicated. The model can also “operate in electric mode occasionally if needed,” Irizar adds.
In revealing the hydrogen coach at Busworld, it was noted that it has 60kW/h of battery storage. Mr Rego added at that time that a fully battery-electric example would be relatively straightforward to produce, although he believes that battery power is unrealistic for long-range applications owing to the weight of such energy storage that would be necessary.
