From a technical standpoint, the bus met expectations. It offered acceptable range, performed reliably in urban traffic, and integrated smoothly into regular service routes. But the primary objective was not just operational feasibility, it was to evaluate whether hydrogen fuel could be sourced affordably, reliably, and sustainably for long-term fleet use. That’s where the project faltered.
Brussels lacked a dedicated hydrogen production facility, so fuel had to be delivered. While the city initially hoped to use green hydrogen, supply constraints made that impractical. Instead, it relied on trucked-in hydrogen, with uncertain emissions credentials and elevated costs. The delivered fuel was significantly more expensive per kilometer than diesel or electricity, and efforts to secure a consistent supply of green hydrogen proved unworkable. These supply-side limitations—scarcity, price volatility, and infrastructure complexity—undermined the case for hydrogen in the Brussels context.
By late 2023, STIB concluded that the challenges were too great. The pilot ended, the bus was withdrawn, and the agency confirmed it would not expand hydrogen use. Instead, STIB is focusing its decarbonization strategy on battery-electric buses, which benefit from existing grid infrastructure and a more stable cost profile.
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