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SAFRA announces the sale of 10 hydrogen buses to be operated in the Clermont-Ferrand metropolitan area

SAFRA, a major player in the decarbonization of passenger transport, and a pioneer of hydrogen mobility in France, is to deliver 10 HYCITY® hydrogen buses to KEOLIS.The 10 vehicles will be destined for Clermont Auvergne Métropole and SMTC-AC, who will operate them on a hydrogen line of the T2C network, line 35-36.This new order completes the SAFRA order book already supplied for 2024.

This acquisition is part of Clermont Auvergne Métropole and Syndicat Mixte des Transports en Commun de l’Agglomération Clermontoise’s (SMTC-AC) global InspiRe energy transition project, with KEOLIS as prime contractor. The InspiRe project involves the development of a unique and innovative ecosystem dedicated to hydrogen, from the production of 100% carbon-free energy (Gravanches station), to the fuelling of the vehicle fleet (Cournon-d’Auvergne compression and distribution station), as well as the commissioning of 10 new buses and 4 retrofitted coaches.

The 10 new HYCITY® buses, the latest generation from SAFRA, will be delivered to KEOLIS in mid-2024. The announcement was made at the Rencontres Nationales du Transport Public 2023 on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, held in Clermont-Ferrand. This was an opportunity to present this brand-new model to all those involved in passenger transport, as it replaces its predecessor, Businova®, and will soon be running on Clermont-Ferrand’s T2C network.

The sale of SAFRA is part of an innovative global project, which brings together all the facets of a complete hydrogen ecosystem. KEOLIS will coordinate all the partner companies involved in the implementation of the project, from the production of renewable hydrogen, to the fuelling of the fleet and the sharing of acquired experience. The 10 HYCITY® vehicles are supplied by SAFRA under a full maintenance contract, and will be operated by KEOLIS for a period of 10 years.

Starting in September 2024, the hydrogen vehicles will be deployed on lines 35-36, two combined urban lines linking the center of Clermont-Ferrand (Delille Montlosier) with the eastern municipalities of Lempdes, Mur-sur-Allier and Pont-du-Château.

“This new contract we’ve just won is further proof that our new HYCITY® vehicle perfectly meets our customers’ expectations. It’s the fruit of long-standing teamwork, and we can’t wait to see these 10 vehicles on the Clermont-Ferrand network. The InspiRe project is a great showcase for our latest generation of hydrogen buses, and will enable us to demonstrate to other local authorities the relevance of hydrogen in a policy of decarbonizing transport“, announced Eric Baleviez, CCO.

Photo of Safra 

Press release https://is.gd/sJZj19

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