Bosch Tests Hydrogen Fuel Cell Module for Public Transit Buses in Madrid

Madrid is now the testing ground for one of the most advanced sustainable mobility technologies from Germany. Bosch has deployed a pilot bus equipped with its new hydrogen fuel cell module, which will operate within the city’s public transport system for several weeks. The vehicle, manufactured by Irizar and operated by Alsa, is designed to prove that hydrogen can handle the rigors of daily passenger service where battery-electric options might struggle.

FCPM C190: Performance and Range Specs

The core of the Madrid trial is the FCPM C190 system. This compact solution utilizes a horizontal double fuel cell configuration to deliver a continuous power output of 190 kW.

This specific profile makes the technology an ideal candidate for long-distance routes where charging opportunities are scarce.

The fuel cell is the perfect complement to battery electric propulsion systems, also in passenger transport. This technology is especially suitable for buses that travel long distances every day and that have few opportunities to recharge during the route. With this test we can demonstrate that Bosch’s fuel cell technology is ready to meet the demands of large-scale passenger transport. Thomas Pauer, member of the board of the Mobility business area and president of the Bosch Power Solutions division

Scaling Hydrogen Across the Transport Sector

The Madrid pilot isn’t an isolated experiment but part of a broader product family. Bosch is diversifying its fuel cell offerings to match different vehicle weights and route requirements. While the C190 handles general passenger needs, the company has developed the FCPM C300 for heavy-duty trucks and coaches, and the FCPM C100, a flat-design module with 100 kW of continuous power tailored specifically for urban buses.

This push toward hydrogen is accelerating due to European Union mandates. Brussels aims to cut carbon emissions from urban buses by 90% by 2030. Because the EU recognizes fuel cell modules as zero-emission vehicles, they provide a critical pathway for operators to move away from diesel engines without sacrificing the autonomy required for intercity travel.

In 2025, the company announced its Hybrion PEM electrolysis stack for hydrogen production. The firm’s commitment to the sector was further highlighted at the end of 2025 when its developers received the German Future Prize from the federal president for the creation of the mobile fuel cell.

Expanding to the Skies: Airbus and MTU Aero Engines

The ambition for hydrogen propulsion extends beyond the road. Airbus and MTU Aero Engines have entered a non-binding agreement to form a joint venture focused on the development and commercialization of a fully electric hydrogen fuel cell engine. This aviation project is expected to begin operations in 2027.

The goal is to accelerate the certification and design of propulsion systems that can mirror the impact electric vehicles had on the automotive industry. This partnership is intended to secure strategic sovereignty in next-generation aeronautical tech and support Airbus’s long-term “ZEROe” objective.

Hydrogen has the potential to play a crucial role in substantially reducing the climate impact of aviation in the long term and transforming air transport in a way comparable to the impact of electric vehicles in the automotive sector. Airbus, via Bolsamania

Fraunhofer ISE and Direct Solar-to-Hydrogen Conversion

While the transport sector focuses on using hydrogen, researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) are optimizing how it is made. In June 2026, the institute presented a module that converts 31.3% of sunlight directly into hydrogen, bypassing the need to first generate electricity to power electrolyzers.

The system uses Fresnel lenses to concentrate light onto III-V solar cells—materials typically reserved for space missions due to their durability. These cells generate a circuit open voltage exceeding four volts, which is sufficient to drive the electrolysis process immediately. By connecting these cells directly to the anode and cathode of two PEM electrolysis cells in series, the researchers eliminated energy losses associated with intermediate conversions.

Despite the record efficiency achieved in a 64-square-centimeter prototype, the technology remains in its infancy. The team is currently seeking investors to transition the project toward commercial scale through a spin-off company called Clearsun Energy.

Development is still in its early stages and it is difficult to anticipate when we will be able to have competitive systems. Frank Dimroth, Director of the III-V Photovoltaic Technology and Concentradores Department, Fraunhofer ISE