Coffee and Registration

Conference Opening

Jan Deman – Speaker
Managing Director, Busworld Foundation

Electrifying public transport: RATP's ZEB journey in Paris and beyond

This presentation will delve into RATP’s transformative journey towards sustainable public transportation, highlighting their ambitious goals, innovative strategies, and tangible outcomes.

François Warnier de Wailly, Director of the Bus Program 2025 at RATP, will share RATP’s operational experience and achievements in deploying zero emission buses. The challenges encountered along the way and strategies employed to overcome them, from infrastructure development and charging solutions to operational optimisation, will be covered.

François Warnier de Wailly – Panellist
Director of the Bus 2025 Programme, RATP Group

The Other Electric Bus: A California Agency Deploys 33 Fuel Cell Buses & Additional Developments from the US ZEB Market

Roland Cordero of Foothill Transit & Jaimie Levin of the Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE) will cover the state of the United States’ ZEB market with particular attention on the state of California. Mr. Cordero will present on Foothill’s active deployment of 33 New Flyer hydrogen fuel cell buses that are operating outside of Los Angeles.

Jaimie Levin – Speaker
Director of West Coast Operations & Senior Managing Consultant, The Center of Transportation and the Environment (CTE)

Roland Cordero – Speaker
Director of Maintenance and Vehicle Technology, Foothill Transit

Data Analytics - Optimising operational fleet performance and planning future fleet decisions

This panel will discuss the necessary solutions and current tools available for optimising operational performance of large ZEB fleets. The panel will also consider the use of data analytics to improve efficiency and predictability of ZEB fleets through tools including remote monitoring, digitalisation and diagnostics.

Cenex, the Low Carbon and Fuel Cells Centre of Excellence will moderate the panel. Cenex has been involved in a wide range of zero emission vehicle demonstration projects for many years, often as the partner responsible for collecting and analysing operational data.

volytica diagnostics has developed advanced battery monitoring systems, allowing the health of the battery to be monitored, improving the lifetime, safety and reliability of EV batteries. Furthermore, this system provides a more accurate determination of the value of the assets (e.g., the bus fleet).

WideSense’s mission is to accelerate adoption of clean efficient transportation. The company provides software solutions to plan, deploy, and profitably operate battery electric bus fleets. WideSense’s fleet management software, intelligence platform, and professional services enable planners and operators to build out reliable electric bus fleets, maximize service reliability and revenue, and continuously monitor and improve operational performance. Headquartered in Berkeley California with a rapidly-expanding global presence, the team is comprised of software, machine learning, and fleet experts with experience from top global firms.

TfL has one of the largest zero emission bus fleets in Europe, consisting of both BEBs and FCBs, leading to data analytics being at the forefront of fleet optimisation and depot management to ensure efficient use of assets.

Sanne van Breukelen – Moderator
Senior Project Manager, Cenex Nederland

Claudius Jehle – Panellist
CEO, volytica diagnostics

Martin West – Panellist
Principal Engineer - Vehicles, TFL Engineering, Transport for London

Santosh Alexander – Panellist
CEO, WideSense

Efficient Hydrogen Refuelling Solutions - Performance and innovations

The presentation outlines that hydrogen refueling technology is state-of-the-art. Linde has not only built more than 210 HRS worldwide out of which more than 15 HRS are for buses in the public transport sector. In fact, H2 refueling infrastructure providing high flexibility, reliability, safety, performance and energy consumption enables a highly efficient zero emission operation of larger bus fleets. Linde’s innovative modularization concept supports a cost efficient scale-up of the H2 refueling station over time: both in terms of capacity and outlet pressure for more flexibility.

Susanne Goldammer – Speaker
Managing Director, Linde Hydrodgen FuelTech GmbH

Coffee & Networking

Panel | HRS Infrastructure: Challenges and Solutions 

The panel aims to discuss current station performance including latest progress and remaining technical challenges, available refueling solutions (on-site/off-site, mobile/stationary etc.), adapting depots to large FCB fleets, maintenance and safety requirements and ecosystem approach.

The discussion will be moderated by the Clean Hydrogen JU, an organisation with >15 years’ experience supporting deployment and demonstration of hydrogen refuelling stations and vehicles. Flagship hydrogen bus projects supported by the Clean Hydrogen JU include CHIC, JIVE, and JIVE 2.

Air Products and Messer are international gas companies with extensive experience in the safe production, storage, distribution, and dispensing of hydrogen. Air Products recently commissioned a high-capacity refuelling station in Crawley (UK) which is the first liquid hydrogen refuelling station for buses in Europe. Messer, in partnership with Toyota Group, has developed a “H2 One Stop Shop” solution designed to provide operators with a predictable total cost of ownership for hydrogen buses.

Sasa is the biggest Public Transport Company in the Sudtyrol Region. The service is deployed in 38 City with 74 lines Urban and Extra Urban routesand more than 17 million kilometers per Year on Sudtyrol Region. Since 2013 SASA operate with fuel cell Buses and relevant Infrastructure collecting an important set of data that define the basic requirements for Decarbonization Plan. Technology neutral approach, agile planning and infrastructure investments are the pillars of such challenging plan with the goal to reach 180 FCV and 200 BEV by 2028.

Lionel Boillot – Moderator
Project Officer, Clean Hydrogen JU

Andreas Noky – Panellist
Project Manager Hydrogen Refuelling Stations, MESSER Group GmbH

Erwan Bruneau – Panellist
H2fM Product Manager Europe, Air Products

Flip Konings – Panellist
Policy Advisor Sustainability & Energy Transition, OV-bureau Groningen Drenthe

Luigi Lugaro – Panellist
Chief Technology Officer, SASA

Challenges when scaling: How to ensure operational readiness at the lowest cost in the EV transition

As we enter the next generation of smart charging technologies for electric bus fleets, ensuring that you have the right solution for major scaling is key. Learn how charging can and must be integrated into all aspects of fleet planning to guarantee continued operational readiness at the lowest cost possible.

Uwe Munch – Speaker
Director of Bus, Europe, ChargePoint

Panel | Charging Infrastructure - Challenges and solutions 

This panel will discuss the current station performance, covering the latest progress and technical challenges. Specific topics to be covered will include depot electrification, charge management and solutions, maintenance and safety, connecting assets together in an ecosystem approach, and managing the limitations of grid capacity.

Element Energy (an ERM Group company) has over 10 years of experience and knowledge as electric vehicle sector experts through involvement in multiple charging infrastructure projects globally. They will moderate the session.

Siemens Smart Infrastructure offers intelligent and efficient charging infrastructure including IoT enabled hardware, software, and services. Siemens is a key player in depot electrification, providing a service that includes planning, installation, grid connections, digitalisation and data monitoring. With this experience, Siemens will be able to discuss the challenges faced in depot electrification projects and key learnings.

Fluvius, as a grid operator in Belgium, will be able to discuss the challenges and solutions regarding grid connections from the side of the grid operator, with previous experience in electrifying depots operated by De Lijn.

As Amsterdam has one of the largest battery electric bus fleets in Europe, Vervoerregio Amsterdam will be able to discuss both depot and opportunity charging used by the BEB fleet, and the opportunities and challenges faced by both.

Similarly, EMT Madrid, the main mobility operator in the city, since last December 2022 is running a 100% clean bus fleet according to the EU Clean Vehicles Directive, with 2,100 bus fleet, out of which 227 are electric, the rest being CNG will be able to discuss the new intelligent charging system at Carabanchel bus depot, with the innovative inverted pantograph facility, is leading to further efficiency improvements.

Celine Cluzel – Moderator
Partner, Element Energy Ltd (an ERM group company)

Gerard Hellburg – Panellist
Programme Manager, Clean & Sustainable - Vervoerregio Amsterdam

Pieter Vermassen – Panellist
Expert Grid Development, Fluvius

Lidia León Talavera – Panellist
Vice Director of Operational Centres, EMT Madrid

Markus Mildner – Panellist
CEO eMobility, Siemens Smart Infrastructure

Closing Speech

Ruud Kempener – Speaker
Cabinet member, Commissioner for Energy, European Commission

Lunch & Networking

Coffee & Registration

Conference Opening

Mirela Atanasiu – Speaker
Executive Director ad Interim, Clean Hydrogen JU

Total Cost of Ownership case study on BEBs and FCBs

Case study/presentation from the JIVE project and large BEB fleets

Vanessa Roderer – Speaker
Sustainability Consultant Energy & Mobility, Sphera

Panel | Building a strong business model for Battery Electric Buses

This panel aims to discuss the economics of BEBs and how a sustainable business model for BEBs can be achieved. This includes emerging financing models where operators no longer own the entirety of their assets. Also, the panel aims to address and discuss the learnings from the energy crisis and associated electricity price fluctuation.

Element Energy (an ERM Group company) has over 10 years of experience and knowledge as electric vehicle sector experts through involvement in multiple charging infrastructure projects globally. They will moderate the session.

Ruter, the public transportation agency for Oslo, will share its experience and the perspective of ZEB finances from a transport authority point of view. Discussions will include how important the procurement/contractual stages are, as well as the importance of exploring the whole market, to offer a high quality zero-emission bus service at minimum cost.

Keolis, an international transport operator, will provide the operator experience and perspective from their operations across Europe, the length of time in which they can keep ZEBs in their fleet and how they can ensure they have an attractive zero-emission bus service offering for the authorities especially when it comes to cost.

Zenobe provide end to end solutions for fleet electrification, and will be able to cover the topic of second-hand batteries as well as how component leasing can be an interesting option for operators.

Finally, Siemens Financial Services who are the B2B financing arm of Siemens. Their unique combination of financial expertise, risk management and industry know-how ensures they help vendors and customers around the globe access technology with a broad range of financing solutions. They will look at the advantages of leasing models that can reduce CAPEX significantly, whilst providing a predictable OPEX.

Richard Riley – Moderator
Senior Principal Consultant, Element Energy Ltd (an ERM Group company)

Bernt Reitan Jenssen – Panellist
CEO, Ruter As

Bruno Lapeyrie – Panellist
Director, Centre of Expertise Energy Transition-Bus, Keolis

Matthias Grossmann – Panellist
CEO Commercial Finance, Siemens Financial Services

Steven Meersman – Panellist
Co-Founder and Director, Zenobe

Hydrogen fuel cells as an enabler for mobility decarbonisation: Symbio's solution for buses & coaches

Decarbonising mobility is a major challenge for passenger transport operators, whether urban, interurban or long distance.

Presenting TCO, performance and flexibility, Symbio’s Product Manager will show how fuel cell buses are a relevant solution for demanding operations.

Alexandre Papillon – Speaker
Product Manager, Symbio

Coffee & Networking

Panel | Financing a full fleet transition - Public funding options

The panellists will discuss the available public funding options, both on a European and national level, and whether they are sufficient for a full transition to zero emission bus fleets. The geographical spread of funding options is also an important consideration, and whether the current public funding options promote a just transition. Discussions will include key learnings from successful funding mechanisms, and how these can be implemented in regions across Europe.

CINEA (The European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency) will moderate the panel. CINEA brings extensive experience of providing funding for ZEB and infrastructure deployment projects across Europe.

C40 will share their experience and key learnings in zero emission bus deployment projects across Latin American cities through the ZEBRA (Zero Emission Bus Rapid-deployment Accelerator) Partnership. The success in innovative funding models used by Latin American cities and operators and how these models can be used in Europe will be discussed.

As a recipient of CEF Transport funding with Bus2025, RATP will provide the perspective of a transport operator receiving European funding, key learnings, and main outputs of these current projects.

The EBRD (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development) will explain the funding mechanisms available for ZEB deployment and infrastructure projects, including the funding availabilities for EBRD Green Cities. Similarly, the EIB (European Investment Bank) will discuss their funding mechanisms available to decarbonise bus fleets, such as through Green Bonds.

Richard Ferrer – Moderator
Head of Alternative Fuels Sector, CINEA

Ian Jennings – Panellist
Senior Specialist Urban Transport, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)

Mathilde Petit – Panellist
European Funding Manager, RATP Group

Neil Valentine – Panellist
Head of Urban Mobility, European Investment Bank

Thomas Maltese – Panellist
Senior Manager, Zero Emission Bus Rapid-Deployment Accelerator, C40 Cities

1198 BUSES POWERED BY REFIRE: A journey by Hydrogen-Electric

REFIRE has played a pivotal role in helping to build an at-scale commercial fuel cell vehicle industry starting in China. The journey began with buses and soon attracted trucks and other forms of mobility and powered machines. Spurred by the push towards urban sustainability, the leap into fuel cell power in mass transit represented an all-in moment for early adopter municipalities and market participants. REFIRE VP International Markets, Audrey Ma, will talk about the role of FCEV buses in the electrification of cities, and will share details of three long term projects that have shaped the future for FCEVs in China.

Audrey Ma – Speaker
REFIRE Group Vice President, International Markets

Panel | Building a strong business model for FCBs (Fuel Cell Buses)

This panel focuses on the economics of fuel cell buses and how to achieve a sustainable business model.

HYCAP is a private equity fund manager focused on enabling the transition to clean hydrogen energy. The moderator for this session brings over two decades’ experience in hydrogen energy, with a focus on developing business cases for hydrogen in mobility applications.

HUMDA (Hungarian Mobility Development Agency), founded by the Hungarian government, is the designated organization coordinating the green Hydrogen Bus Program established by the Hungarian Hydrogen Strategy and is also responsible for coordinating the development of domestic hydrogen refuelling stations. Through their comprehensive knowledge of the local market, regulatory framework and industry trends, the agency is well equipped to provide insights on the key elements necessary to facilitate the adoption of hydrogen buses.

HyCologne has been active in the hydrogen energy sector since 2007, connecting over 50 stakeholders from politics, industry, and academia, and playing a leading role in initiating and delivering hydrogen projects. HyCologne will discuss the finances associated with the refuelling stations in the Cologne region, where the largest FCB fleet in Europe is operational. Discussions will include refurbishing existing stations versus the construction of new stations, and the economics of station building and different funding models to reduce CAPEX.

The Municipal Transport Company in Konin (Poland), MZK Konin, will discuss the initial experience and TCO analysis of their FCBs in operation and their business model for hydrogen refuelling infrastructure and FCBs. Further discussions will also include the barriers and challenges for MZK Konin to scale up their FCB fleet, and the optimal funding model to do so.

As a major bus OEM, CaetanoBus will provide the perspective from an OEM in the different financing options available for end users to reduce the CAPEX associated with FCBs. Discussions will include different technological improvements designed to reduce both CAPEX and OPEX of a FCB as well as presenting their new turnkey solution provided by CaetanoBus, Toyota Tsusho and Messer to cover every aspect of a FCB fleet (hydrogen supply, HRS, FCBs, etc.) with a more predictable €/km driven model.

Ben Madden – Moderator
Chief Technology Officer, HYCAP

Carsten Krause – Panellist
Founder & Project Manager, HyCologne Wasserstoff Region Rheinland e.V. | Managing Director, Elogen GmbH

Magdalena Przybyla – Panellist
President, MZK Konin

Nuno Lago de Carvalho – Panellist
Chief Commercial Officer, CaetanoBus

Virág Mészáros – Panellist
CEO, HUMDA (Hungarian Mobility Development Agency)

Lunch & Networking

Coffee and Registration

Conference Opening

Emmanuel Mounier – Speaker
Secretary General, EU Travel Tech

Market development and demand for zero emission coaches - a French market focus

The French coach fleet represents twice as many vehicles as the bus fleet. Yet less than a hundred zero-emission coaches were operating in France in early 2022. Based on this observation, France Hydrogène Mobilité, the group dedicated to road mobility within the France Hydrogène association, and AVERE-France, the national association for the development of electromobility, have decided to join forces to investigate the demand for zero-emission coaches in France while analysing the complementarity between battery electric and hydrogen electric coaches. A report was therefore developed to identify the requirements of operators, the objectives of the transition and the technical solutions that are being developed. The common objective of these two associations is to support and accelerate the deployment of battery electric and hydrogen electric coaches in France.

Antoine Herteman – Speaker
President, AVERE-France

Valérie Bouillon-Delporte – Speaker
1st Vice President of France Hydrogène and Coordinator of the Mobility Group

Panel | Zero Emission Coaches: Meeting the needs of customers

Panel to discuss the technical requirements from operators to decarbonize their coach fleets and what vehicle OEMs are doing to develop this market.

Zemo Partnership will moderate the panel and share insights from their Bus & Coach Working Group, which collaborates with government and industry to ensure customer needs are met. Projects include the Zero Emission Bus Certification scheme as well as industry publications and public forums to share best practices and technical guidance to accelerate the market.

Transdev is well placed to contribute to the discussion on zero emission coaches, given the company’s experience via projects such as the Nomad Car Hydrogène project in Normandy where an 11-year-old diesel powered bus has been transformed into the first hydrogen fuel cell coach (to be used on a 380km/day service requiring less than one refuelling/day).

Global Passenger Network (GPN) will also be able to discuss the different needs for coach operators globally regarding zero-emission coaches and peri-urban buses.

From the OEM’s perspective, Yutong will discuss how manufacturers are addressing the specifications required for coach operators as one of the only zero emission coach OEMs, with a range of products available including the Yutong T15E, U11DD and U18.

Solarbus will share information on its high-performance solar modules allowing partial decarbonization of long-distance coach travel.

Tim Griffen – Moderator
Project Officer, Zemo Partnership

Agnes Pastuszak – Panellist
President, Global Passenger Network (GPN)

Hans Peter Michelet – Panellist
Chairman of the Board, GreenEnergy (Solarbus)

Jack Li – Panellist
CEO Europe, Yutong

Manoela Araujo – Panellist
Energy Transition Referent, Transdev

Daily Drive - Exploring the technical experience and challenges of operating a Fuel Cell Bus fleet

Zero-emission vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells are critical for the future of decarbonising buses, coaches and other heavy-duty vehicles. As manufacturing and economies of scale improve, the commercial prospects for hydrogen fuel cell-led technology increases, offering an emission-free solution to operators and municipal authorities.

Thanks to the proactive approach employed by manufacturers, agencies and governments globally the segment is on an upward trajectory in technological and commercial acceptance and deployment – but more is required as the industry aims to hit ambitious net zero goals.

David Yorke – Speaker
Market Development Manager, Ballard Power Systems Europe

Coffee & Networking

Learnings from the deployment of the network to support deployment of the zero-emission coach ecosystem in Germany

NOW – a federally owned company, taking assignments in the area of sustainable mobility and energy supply from top-level federal authorities – will be presenting the hydrogen and recharging perspective of the ecosystem for coach buses. Two experts from NOW will present the learnings, challenges and opportunities linked to the expansion of charging and refuelling network essential for the emergence of the zero-emission coach market.

Maximilian Lohrer – Speaker
Programme Manager Hydrogen and Fuel Cells (Commercial Vehicles), NOW GmbH

Jascha Lackner – Speaker
Bus Programme Manager, NOW GmbH

Zero Emission Coach Ecosystem - Technological challenges and business adaptations (infrastructure focus)

This panel aims to discuss the opportunities and challenges to the emerging market of zero-emission coach infrastructure, specifically looking to cover the availability of hydrogen refuelling and recharging networks, recharge time, grid capacity, managing vehicle range and the emergence of new business models.

IRU will moderate the panel, and as the road and transport union, they have vast experience and expertise in the legislation and deployment of buses, coaches, and associated infrastructure through their global members.

Flix will provide the perspective of a global mobility operator, aiming at progressively enhance sustainability in long-distance bus transport by investigating new solutions within the FlixBus fleet. They will also discuss the different challenges faced by an operator aiming to decarbonise their fleet.

Rebel Group have developed a Community of Practice regarding hydrogen buses in the Netherlands, in which PTAs, PTOs, bus OEMs and hydrogen infrastructure providers have come together to share knowledge regarding the implementation of hydrogen buses, in order to accelerate the uptake of hydrogen buses and coaches in the Netherlands. The contents of the Community of Practice will be shared in the panel.

The Confederation of Passenger Transport UK (CPT) will be able to provide their expertise in decarbonising public transport, as the representatives of the UK bus and coach sector, with over 900 members from across the industry. CPT also established the Zero Emission Coach Taskforce in 2021, bringing together key experts to identify the challenges to decarbonising coach fleets, supported by industry evidence, leading to the publication of multiple reports on decarbonising mobility, specifically regarding bus and coaches.

As part of its involvement in zero-emission mobility projects, POLIS ensures that its network of cities and regions can benefit from the projects’ research and innovation, either by direct participation as pilot sites/living labs, but also as part of a knowledge-sharing community. POLIS has also been at the forefront of policy and advocacy actions in this sector as the voice of cities and regions, through policy papers, working groups and peer exchange in relation to mobility projects, and knowledge on European policies such as the CVD or AFIR, and will bring the wealth of knowledge to the panel discussion.

Stasa Mrdovic – Moderator
Manager - Passenger Transport, IRU

Daniel Zellinger – Panellist
Team Lead Bus Fleet Strategy, FlixBus

Frederik de Vries – Panellist
Senior Manager Public Private Partnerships, Rebel Group

Pedro Gomes – Panellist
Project Manager & Coordinator of POLIS Clean Vehicles & Air Quality Working Group

Rebecca Kite – Panellist
Policy Manager, Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT)

Closing speech

Axel Volkery – Speaker
Deputy Head of Unit Sustainable and Intelligent Transport, DG MOVE, European Commission

Lunch & Networking