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The first 15 hydrogen fuel-cell buses park in Xiuzhou district. [Photo/cnjxol.com]

The first 15 hydrogen fuel-cell buses arrived in Xiuzhou district, Jiaxing, East China's Zhejiang province, on Dec 24, indicating the start of a new era for Jiaxing's public transportation.

The buses were purchased by Jiaxing Guohong Public Transportation Co Ltd from Suzhou Higer Bus Co Ltd and will operate along the bus routes to Jiashan and Pinghu in January 2022.

As hydrogen is used to power fuel cells, the vehicles only discharge liquid water while operating.

The hydrogen fuel-cell buses boast the same stability and comfort as pure electric buses, according to Xiao Chao from the research and development center of Suzhou Higer Bus Co Ltd.

A hydrogen fuel-cell bus in Xiuzhou. [Photo/cnjxol.com]

In addition, hydrogen fuel-cell buses usually take five to 10 minutes to refuel and can operate for more than 380 kilometers, while pure electric buses can only operate for about 300 km after being fully charged, which takes five to six hours, added Xiao.

With an overall length of 10.5 meters, the newly-purchased bus has 29 seats and is capable of transporting 75 passengers at once.

The buses also features safety belts and facilities for wheelchairs. USB interfaces are available as well so that passengers can recharge their mobile phones.

The buses operating in the downtown area of Jiaxing will be gradually replaced by hydrogen fuel-cell ones in the near future, according to Yang Shengfei, assistant general manager of Jiaxing Guohong Public Transportation Co Ltd.