RAMPINI and Wiener Linien start new Hydrogen Fleet

Wiener Linien, Public Transport Operator in the austrian capital of Vienna, is taking the next step towards a sustainable future and is focusing on a combination of e-mobility and sustainable hydrogen (H2). From September 2025 - for the first time in Vienna - ten electric hydrogen buses made by italian manufacturer RAMPINI will be circulating the Vienna city centre on lines 2A and 3A. The innovative HYDRON minibuses perfectly realise the synergies within the Wiener Stadtwerke Group: Wien Energie produces the hydrogen from renewable energies, the buses are refuelled at the Wiener Netze campus and Wiener Linien uses it to get its passengers to their destinations safely and emission-free.

Around 60 e-buses, 12 of wich are e-buses by RAMPINI, are already in successful operation in Vienna. With the new, additional hydrogen technology, which has been intensively tested by Wiener Linien, the range of e-buses is now considerably longer - the new hydrogen e-buses no longer need to be charged as often as conventional e-buses. From September, 10 minibuses with hydrogen e-technology will replace the previous RAMPINI e-minibuses on lines 2A and 3A in Vienna's city centre - making them the first of their kind to be in regular service in Vienna. Due to the extended range, charging infrastructure in the city centre is no longer necessary and the vehicle fleet for lines 2A and 3A can be reduced from twelve to ten buses.


Caterina Rampini, Vice President and CEO of RAMPINI says at the handover-ceremony: „We are very proud to deliver again buses to Wiener Linien after the first delivery of pure battery buses in 2012. This shows the reliability of the technology as well as the trust of this esteemed customer. With the new HYDRON buses, officially launched in 2023 at the biggest bus exhibition in Brussels, we enter a new phase of technolgy development to work for a cleaner and sustainable future. These very flexible and versatile Minibuses will show, what hydrogen as a energy carrier can deliver in public transport and move people comfortably and sustainably in the austrian capital.“

 

"Vienna has set itself the goal of being climate-neutral by 2040. We are continuing to massively expand environmentally friendly public transport, currently the U2XU5 and three new tram lines. New drive technologies also play a key role. Wien Energie, Wiener Netze and Wiener Linien are joining forces to once again make Vienna a European pioneer in the decarbonisation of public transport with the new E-H2 buses. With these buses, we are investing in the future of our city and ushering in a new era of sustainable mobility," said Public Transport Councillor Ulli Sima.

The new E-H2 buses from the Italian manufacturer RAMPINI were tested intensively in advance and offer a significant increase in performance compared to pure battery powered e-buses. This means that Wiener Linien will be even more efficient and climate-friendly in future. From the outside, the new HYDRON features a new Design called „Stile Energetico“ compared to its predecessor, which was also built by Rampini. The 230 kW central electric motor not only draws its energy from a 170 kWh LTO battery. A hydrogen fuel cell generates continuously electrical energy during the journey so that the bus can be in use all day without recharging thanks to this sophisticated ‘range extender technology’. The Hy4Drive-System, developed by RAMPINI, that was nominated for a Busworld Europe „Digital Award“ in 2023, can chose between four charging and drive modes, adapted to the conditions and the battery status.

 

Gudrun Senk, Technical Managing Director of Wiener Linien: "Wiener Stadtwerke is consistently leading the way in climate protection. We tested the new bus intensively in advance and are utilising the synergies within the Wiener Stadtwerke Group with the new drive system. The innovative battery-hydrogen technology enables all-day operation without charging interruptions. With the new buses, all Viennese will benefit from more environmentally friendly, quieter and safer mobility from September while enjoying a high level of comfort." 

Wiener Linien is investing around 12 million euros in the purchase and maintenance of the new RAMPINI buses together with the Ministry of Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure and the EU. The new, fully air-conditioned minibuses are based at the Wiener Netze campus in Simmering. Here they are refuelled and charged at an H2 filling station and charging station operated by Wien Energie. They are fuelled with ‘green’ hydrogen, which is produced directly on site in the electrolysis plant from green electricity. With the new Rampini Hydron, Wiener Linien remains very flexible and can easily react to any timetable changes.


Innovation in the busindustry

With the Range Extender Hydrogen minibus, Wiener Linien is continuing to consistently pursue the path towards new, environmentally friendly drive technologies. The new competence centre for electromobility was opened in Siebenhirten (23rd district) in 2024. Nine bus routes in Liesing and Simmering have now been converted to all-electric drive, with a total of 50 twelve-metre-long Mercedes buses in operation. Further lines such as the 59A will follow this year.

 

Technical Data Hydrogen Minibuses:

  • Model name: RAMPINI HYDRON
  • Manufacturer: RAMPINI Carlo S.p.A.,
  • Production facility: Passignano sul Trasimeno (IT)
  • Measurements: length 8m, width 2,2m, height 3,25m
  • Passenger Capacity: 42 Passengers (13 Seating-/28 Standing, 1 „Kombiplatz“)
  • Energy Provider: Fuel cell 30 kW Power or CCS Charging with up to 150 kW in 4 modes with Hy4Drive software
  • Traction battery: 175 kWh LTO
  • Drivetrain: electrical central motor with 230 kW peak power (synchronous engine, PSM)
  • H2-Storage: Three Hydrogen tanks (Type IV) on the roof with 5 kg capacity each (total: 15 kg) „green hydrogen“
  • Range: ca. 350 km depending on hydrogen use and operating mode.

 

The purchase of the battery-hydrogen buses is funded by the EU via the EBIN programme of the Federal Ministry for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure.


For more information, please contact:

Rampini Press Office
📧 ufficiostampa@rampini.it

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