Hydrogen Zero Emission Coach Won Spanish Coach of the Year

The Irizar i6S Efficient Hydrogen zero-emission model won Spanish 2024 Coach of the Year.

The hydrogen fuel cell-electric coach made its debut in proof-of-concept form at Busworld Brussels during October 2023. Though the i6S is a development vehicle, the alternatively-fuelled vehicles that will be developed from this project could be ground-breaking for PSV decarbonisation worldwide.

The Spanish manufacturer has won nine Coach of the Year awards in total. Previous Irizar models claiming the title are the Century, PB, i6, i6S, i6S Efficient and i8.

Irizar CEO Imanol Rego says that Irizar Group is “focusing all efforts on decarbonisation and reducing the consumption and emissions of vehicles.”

The i6S promises a range of up to 1,000km and a fuelling time of around 20 minutes, which Irizar says replicates diesel coach usage. The model can also “operate in electric mode occasionally if needed,” Irizar adds.

The Irizar i6S Hydrogen Zero-Emission model is not yet available in the UK, but more information on the coach can be found HERE. 

The RHA has called on the government to introduce an emissions-linked rebate on alternative fuels to help operator net zero efforts, alleviating the high costs associated with the process.

Additionally, the RHA is calling on the Government to create a commercial vehicle decarbonisation roadmap that supports investments and accommodates the diverse nature of haulage and coach operations. In the meantime, the RHA has published its own roadmap to net zero.

The RHA is organising its third National Coach Week this spring to showcase the industry as an aspirational career choice and raise awareness of the issues the sector needs to tackle amid difficult economic conditions.

#NationalCoachWeek takes place between 8-12 April.