Germany due to have more than 900 hydrogen buses by 2030, but over 7,000 battery-electric ones: PwC study

There are 11 times more battery electric buses than hydrogen-powered equivalents on German roads today, but fuel-cell buses are expected to grow in popularity over the rest of the decade, according to a new report from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).

But current plans show that by 2030, there will be 917 hydrogen buses in operation, compared to 7,371 battery-powered units — eight times as many.

“With almost 150 vehicles, electric buses with fuel-cell drives are currently less widespread,” PwC reports. “Looking at the range of vehicles available from manufacturers, fuel-cell drivers are currently still of lesser importance.

“In some cities, however, there are already larger fleets and ambitious future plans for hydrogen-powered bus fleets.”

The report explains that battery electric buses “are currently still signifcantly more expensive than conventional vehicle types,” says PwC, with an average battery bus costing €550,000 ($600,000) compared to €240,000 for a diesel equivalent.

“Investments are also required to set up the charging infrastructure and to expand and modernize depots.”

But it adds: “The current acquisition costs for fuel cell buses and the necessary refueling infrastructure are even higher than for battery buses.”

Cologne has by far the largest number of fuel-cell buses in operation today, with 72 (as well as 61 battery buses), followed by Wuppertal (20), Frankfurt am Main (13), Höchst (8) and Düren (5).

A further 238 hydrogen buses are expected to be on German roads this year, with a further 102 added in 2024, 172 in 2025 and 260 from 2026-30, giving a total of 917 by the end of 2030.

By contrast, current plans show an additional 1,125 battery-electric buses to be added this year, followed by 876 in 2024, 1,294 in 2025, and 2,459 from 2026-30 — a total of 7,371.