The city's first hydrogen fuel cell-powered bus demonstration line started trial operations in East Lake High-tech Development Zone (Optics Valley of China), Wuhan, capital of Hubei province, on Sept 28.

The day also saw Wuhan's first hydrogen refueling station opening in the zone's Future City, demonstrating how a future hydrogen bus system would work. 

The buses will operate the 359 service, which runs on a 12-kilometer route from Zuoling Avenue to Weilai Third Road, with 16 stops.

The vehicle does not produce any emissions, and only discharges water particles.

The two buses running the trial service were jointly developed by Wuhan Tiger Fuel Cell Vehicle and Wuhan Skywell New Energy Vehicle, before undergoing further improvements in Optics Valley, with a public unveiling on Dec 28, 2017.

It takes only a few minutes for the bus to be refueled, with a fully-fueled vehicle able to run for an incredible 400 km.

Construction of the hydrogen refueling station was undertaken by Wuhan Zhongji Hydrogen Energy Development Co, with a station to supply 300 kilograms of hydrogen daily –– enough for 50 buses. 

The company has established hydrogen plants in Hubei’s Yunmeng county and Qianjiang, with an expected production capacity totaling 88 million cubic meters per year, which can supply about 4,500 buses.

It is also working in partnership with PetroChina and plans to build 100 hydrogen refueling stations across the country in the next five years. 

Wuhan Tiger Fuel Cell Vehicle and Wuhan Zhongji Hydrogen Energy Development Co are both subordinate to the Industrial Technology Research Institute of Geo-Resource and Environment, which is located in Optics Valley and is currently engaged in the innovation and development of the hydrogen energy industry.