Agenda
CONFERENCE DAY 1 - MONDAY 9TH OCTOBER 2023
POLICY FOCUS, OPERATIONAL EXPERIENCE AND TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE
- 14:30
Coffee & Registration
SESSION 1 | CONFERENCE OPENING | TOWARDS NET ZERO: WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION | 14:30 – 16:00 CET
Landscape of ZEB (Zero Emission Bus) deployment, focus on EU position and on existing EU/national policies and political barriers yet to overcome for the deployment of large ZEB fleets
- 14:40
Conference Opening (1/2)

President, Busworld Foundation

Partner, Element Energy Ltd (an ERM group company)

Flemish Minister of Mobility and Public Works
- 14:50
Conference Opening (2/2): Transitioning to zero emission: Brussels' ZEB plan
An overview of Brussels’ transition to zero emission transport, including the transition of the STIB-MIVB fleet to zero emission.

CEO, STIB-MIVB

Brussels' Minister of Mobility,
Public Works and Road Safety
- 15:00
Overview of the status of ZEB deployment in Europe
State of play of the bus and coach market in the EU

Researcher, Heavy-Duty Vehicles Program, The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT)
- 16:00
Panel | Overcoming barriers to ZEB deployment
Panel aiming to discuss the successful political measures enabling large-scale deployment of ZEBs as well as the remaining barriers to address.

Deputy Head of Unit Sustainable and Intelligent Transport, DG MOVE, European Commission

CEO Europe, Transdev

Head of Department Policy Affairs, Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport, Germany

Vice-chairman of the Swedish Public Transport Association, Sweden
COFFEE BREAK
- 16:30
Coffee & Networking
SESSION 2| TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE OF ZEBs (1/2)| 16:30 – 18:00 CET
Landscape of performances of BEBs (Battery Electric Buses), FCBs (Fuel Cell Buses) and associated infrastructures, real world technical experience of large fleets and remaining technical challenges to address for complete full fleet transition to ZEB. Maintenance, and safety topics of ZEBs will also be addressed.
- 16:40
How will the EU keep its position as a leader in ZEB deployment
Progress and actions to take in terms of European and national policies in combination

Member of Frans Timmermans' Cabinet and Executive Vice President for the European Green Deal, European Commission.
- 16:55
State of play of Performance of Battery Electric Buses (BEBs) and charging infrastructures
AVERE, a European association specifically representing and advocating for electromobility, will present the latest results on the performance of electric buses and charging infrastructure.

Secretary General, AVERE
- 17:10
State of play of Performance of FCBs (Fuel Cell Buses) and HRSs (Hydrogen Refuelling Infrastructures)
Results from the JIVE/JIVE 2/MEHRLIN projects deploying 298 FCBs and 18 HRSs across 16 European cities – the largest deployment attempted to date in Europe.

Managing Director, PLANET

Sustainability Consultant Energy & Mobility, Sphera
- 18:00
Panel | Performance of Zero Emission Buses
Panel composed of bus operators with large ZEB fleets (with both FCBs and BEBs) and bus OEMs aiming to discuss the current vehicle performances of ZEB (vs. diesel buses) and challenges and opportunities of operating and maintaining large ZEB fleets. Safety of ZEB fleets as well as training will also be covered.

General Manager - Engineering, Translink

Head of Sales Public Transport, Van Hool

CEO, Qbuzz

Technical Director, Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB)
- 09:30
Coffee and Registration
SESSION 3 | TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE OF ZEBs (2/2) | 09:30 – 11:00 CET
Case studies of leading cities in large ZEB deployment (EU and worldwide). Data analytics, essential to smooth and optimal ZEB operation, will also be covered.
- 09:35
Conference Opening

Managing Director, Busworld Foundation
- 09:50
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.
Patrice Lovisa, Area Manager 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.

Area Manager, RATP Group
- 10:10
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.

Senior Managing Consultant, The Center of Transportation and the Environment (CTE)

Director of Maintenance and Vehicle Technology, Foothill Transit
- 11:00
Data Analytics - Optimising operational fleet performance and planning future fleet decisions
Panel to discuss the required solutions and tools available for optimising operational performance of large ZEB fleets, and the use of data, analytics, diagnostics, digitalisation and remote monitoring to allow ZEBs to be more efficient and predictable.

Head of Transport, CENEX

CEO, volytica diagnostics

Principal Engineer - Vehicles, TFL Engineering, Transport for London
COFFEE BREAK
- 11:30
Coffee & Networking
SESSION 4 | THE INFRASTRUCTURE CHALLENGE: BATTERY & HYDROGEN | 11:30 – 13:20 CET
This session will focus on the performance and maintenance of refuelling/recharging infrastructures and remaining technical challenges to overcome. Grid and depot management will also be covered.
- 11:45
Efficient Hydrogen Refuelling Solutions - Performance and innovations
Keynote speech covering current technologies in hydrogen refuelling and future innovations

Managing Director, Linde Hydrodgen FuelTech GmbH
- 12:30
Panel | HRS Infrastructure: Challenges and Solutions
Panel aiming to discuss current station performance (latest progress and remaining technical challenges), available refuelling solutions (on-site / off-site, mobile / stationary), adapting depots to large FCB fleets, maintenance and safety requirements, and an ecosystem approach.

Project Officer, Clean Hydrogen JU

Policy Advisor Sustainability & Energy Transition, OV-bureau Groningen Drenthe
- 12:40
Efficient Charging Solutions – Performance and innovations
Keynote speech covering current technologies in charging solutions and future innovations
- 13:25
Panel | Charging Infrastructure - Challenges and solutions
Panel to discuss current charging station performance, depot electrification, charging management and solutions, maintenance and safety requirements and ecosystem approach. Grid capacity will also be discussed.

Partner, Element Energy Ltd (an ERM group company)

Programme Manager, Clean & Sustainable - Vervoerregio Amsterdam

CEO eMobility, Siemens Smart Infrastructure
- 13:30
Closing Speech
CONFERENCE NETWORKING EVENT
- 22:00
Networking Dinner
START OF DAY 3 – WEDNESDAY 11TH OCTOBER 2023
ECONOMICS, FINANCING AND FUNDING OF ZERO EMISSION BUSES
- 09:30
Coffee & Registration
SESSION 5 | ECONOMICS OF ZEBs | 09:30 – 11:00 CET
TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) of BEBs (Battery Electric Buses) and FCBs (Fuel Cell Buses) and building a sustainable business case for large ZEB fleets. Economics of retrofitted buses and 2nd hand buses/batteries will also be covered.
- 09:35
Conference Opening
- 09:55
Total Cost of Ownership case study on BEBs and FCBs
Case study/presentation from the JIVE project and large BEB fleets

Sustainability Consultant Energy & Mobility, Sphera
- 10:45
Panel | Building a strong business model for Battery Electric Buses
This panel will discuss the economics of Battery Electric Buses (BEBs) and how a sustainable business model for BEBs can be achieved, including emerging financing models where operators no longer own the entirety of their assets. The panel will also address the learnings from the energy crisis and associated electricity price fluctuation.
Ruter, the public transportation agency for Oslo, will share its experience and the perspective of ZEB finances from a transport authority point of view. It will be discussed how important the procurement/contractual stages are, as well as the importance of having discussions with the whole market to offer a high quality zero-emission bus service at minimum cost to the inhabitants. Keolis will cover the operator perspective and how they ensure an attractive service offering for the authorities in terms of cost, discussing the importance of lifespan extension to make e-buses cost-competitive.
Element Energy will provide insight on the second-hand market for electric buses. Zenobe will cover the topic of second-hand batteries and the option of component leasing for operators. Siemens Financial Services will present the advantages of full leasing models, reducing up-front costs significantly, whilst providing a predictable and steady cashflow prediction.

Senior Principal Consultant, Element Energy Ltd (an ERM Group company)

CEO, Ruter As

Director, Centre of Expertise Energy Transition-Bus, Keolis

CEO Commercial Finance, Siemens Financial Services

Co-Founder and Director, Zenobe
- 11:00
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.

Product Manager, Symbio
COFFEE BREAK
- 11:30
Coffee & Networking
SESSION 6 | THE FUTURE OF FUNDING MODELS FOR ZEBs AND ASSOCIATED INFRASTRUCURES | 11:30 – 13:10 CET
- 12:20
Panel | Financing a full fleet transition - Public funding options
Panel aiming to discuss available public funding options (on a European and National level) and whether they are enough to make a full fleet transition a reality and Just Transition.

Head of Alternative Fuel Sector, CINEA

Director of the Bus 2025 Programme, RATP Group

Senior Specialist Urban Transport, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)

Head of Urban Mobility, European Investment Bank
- 13:10
Panel | Building a strong business model for FCBs (Fuel Cell Buses)
This panel aims to discuss the economics of FCBs and how to achieve a sustainable business model for FCBs. The different ways of achieving a sustainable business model including emerging financing models where operators no longer own the entirety of their assets will be discussed. The aim will also be to address and discuss the learnings from the energy crisis and associated H2 price fluctuation.
- 09:30
Coffee and Registration
SESSION 7 | STATE OF PLAY FOR ZERO EMISSION COACHES | 09:30 – 11:00 CET
Landscape of Zero Emission Coaches, latest market development, focus on the client’s technical requirements.
- 09:40
Conference Opening
- 10:00
Market development and demand for zero emission coaches - a French market focus
- 10:50
Panel | Zero Emission Coaches: Meeting the needs of customers
Panel to discuss the technical requirements from operators to fully decarbonise their coach fleets and the developments from bus OEMs in this market.
This panel will involve feedback from some of the first European zero emission coach projects, including the Nomad Car Hydrogène project (Normandy) and the 100% electric interurban express regional coach lines (Region Sud).
The objective will be to understand the different customer needs for zero emission coaches and peri-urban buses. GPN (Global Passenger Network) will be the voice of premium bus and motor coach companies worldwide. Insights on Transdev’s plans to decarbonise its coach fleet and what the needs are for it to be successful will also be shared.
The panel will also address how manufacturers are responding to customer needs and the actions that are being taken to develop the market.
Zemo Partnership will 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.
Before zero emission coaches can be realised, other solutions enabling operators to reduce emissions will be discussed. Solarbus pro will be presenting its high-performance solar modules allowing to partly decarbonize long-distance traveling

Project Officer, Zemo Partnership

President, Global Passenger Network (GPN)

Chief of Client Services, Transdev Normandy
- 11:00
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.

Market Development Manager, Ballard Power Systems Europe
- 11:30
Coffee & Networking
SESSION 8 |ZE COACHES & LONG DISTANCE SERVICES: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES| 11:30 – 13:00 CET
First return of experience of prototypes and early deployments. Current regulation, target for the sector and infrastructure/technological challenges will also be covered.
- 11:50
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. Experts from NOW will present the learnings, challenges and opportunities linked to the expansion of charging and refueling network essential for the emergence of the zero-emission coach market.

Programme Manager Hydrogen and Fuel Cells (Commercial Vehicles), NOW GmbH

Bus Programme Manager, NOW GmbH
- 12:50
Zero Emission Coach Ecosystem - Technological challenges and business adaptations (infrastructure focus)
This panel will discuss the opportunities and challenges to the emerging market of zero emission coaches, with a focus on infrastructure. Discussion topics include the availability of the network, managing limitations, charging time, range anxiety and management, and new business models.

Director, EU Advocacy & General Delegate, International Road Transport Union (IRU)

Team Lead Bus Fleet Strategy, FlixBus
- 13:00
Closing speech








Speakers

President, Global Passenger Network (GPN)

Product Manager, Symbio

Chief of Client Services, Transdev Normandy

CEO Europe, Transdev

Deputy Head of Unit Sustainable and Intelligent Transport, DG MOVE, European Commission

CEO, Ruter As

CEO, STIB-MIVB

Director, Centre of Expertise Energy Transition-Bus, Keolis

Partner, Element Energy Ltd (an ERM group company)

CEO, volytica diagnostics

Member of Frans Timmermans' Cabinet and Executive Vice President for the European Green Deal, European Commission.

Team Lead Bus Fleet Strategy, FlixBus

General Manager - Engineering, Translink

Market Development Manager, Ballard Power Systems Europe

Researcher, Heavy-Duty Vehicles Program, The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT)

Brussels' Minister of Mobility,
Public Works and Road Safety

Policy Advisor Sustainability & Energy Transition, OV-bureau Groningen Drenthe

Director of the Bus 2025 Programme, RATP Group

Head of Sales Public Transport, Van Hool

Programme Manager, Clean & Sustainable - Vervoerregio Amsterdam

CEO, Qbuzz

Senior Specialist Urban Transport, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)

Senior Managing Consultant, The Center of Transportation and the Environment (CTE)

Managing Director, Busworld Foundation

Bus Programme Manager, NOW GmbH

Technical Director, Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB)

Head of Department Policy Affairs, Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport, Germany

Managing Director, PLANET

Vice-chairman of the Swedish Public Transport Association, Sweden

Project Officer, Clean Hydrogen JU

Flemish Minister of Mobility and Public Works

CEO eMobility, Siemens Smart Infrastructure

Principal Engineer - Vehicles, TFL Engineering, Transport for London

CEO Commercial Finance, Siemens Financial Services

Programme Manager Hydrogen and Fuel Cells (Commercial Vehicles), NOW GmbH

Partner, Element Energy Ltd (an ERM group company)

Head of Urban Mobility, European Investment Bank

Area Manager, RATP Group

Secretary General, AVERE

Director, EU Advocacy & General Delegate, International Road Transport Union (IRU)

President, Busworld Foundation

Head of Alternative Fuel Sector, CINEA

Senior Principal Consultant, Element Energy Ltd (an ERM Group company)

Director of Maintenance and Vehicle Technology, Foothill Transit

Head of Transport, CENEX

Co-Founder and Director, Zenobe

Managing Director, Linde Hydrodgen FuelTech GmbH

Project Officer, Zemo Partnership

Sustainability Consultant Energy & Mobility, Sphera