CoacH2 - Next generation hydrogen fuel-cell coach powertrain demonstrator

**CoacH2 -- Next generation hydrogen fuel-cell coach powertrain demonstrator**

**Delivered by a Northern Irish consortium spanning OEM, operator and academia this project will accelerate the development of zero-emission fuel-cell electric coaches, with a full on-vehicle technology demonstrator to be manufactured and showcased as part of CENEX LCV 2024\.**

Coaches are an integral part of the public transport network, with over 30,000 diesel coaches operating across the UK and Ireland. Due to the demanding coach operation (high speed, long range, heavy passenger and luggage loading) decarbonisation options for this sector are extremely limited with hydrogen fuel-cell technology considered the most viable choice. This project will tackle this difficult to decarbonise sector by developing, testing and validating an innovative hydrogen fuel-cell powertrain suitable for coach applications.

Consortium leaders, Wrightbus are an established pioneer in zero-emission technology having launched the UK's first hydrogen double-deck fuel cell buses, the world's most efficient double-deck battery-electric bus and the world's first double deck fuel-cell electric bus. Working alongside, Translink, Northern Ireland's largest public transport operator and Queen's University Belfast, a member of Russell Group of 24 UK research intensive universities, the project will accelerate the development of innovative powertrain technology capable of capturing and securing national and international market opportunity.

To achieve these ambitions three specific themes will be addressed:

1. Development of hydrogen fuel-cell powertrain with design process informed by intensive operational demands and utilising advanced simulation capabilities / modelling methodologies to guide optimum component configurations. Innovative approaches will be deployed to address the significant technical challenges of large cooling requirements, packaging and sufficient on-board hydrogen storage.
2. Measuring in-service operational efficiency via extensive testing -- with demonstrator vehicle undertaking shadow service of existing Translink routes to confirm functionality and reliability.
3. Development of a toolkit for evaluating whole-life energy, cost and carbon of zero emission coaches with the aim of informing strategies and rapidly enabling decarbonisation.

Replacing current diesel internal combustion coaches in operation on UK roads would have significant benefits for the environment and human health, with estimates of:

* 1,670-million litres of diesel being displaced,
* 4.2 million tonnes of CO2 mitigated,
* 14.4 thousand tonnes of NOX avoided,
* 412 tonnes of particulate matter not released to the atmosphere,

Economic & social benefits will also include the creation of skilled jobs, stimulating significant economic activity in the UK economy. This industrially-led high value collaborative research will also support developments in other heavy duty automotive sectors.