At 4 a.m. daily, at the Jingzhang Road North bus stop in Yanqing District, dozens of light green Route 919 Express buses begin their journey, traveling approximately 80 kilometers before reaching the terminal at Deshengmen West. These buses stand out not only for their larger size compared to other routes but also for the "FCEV" marking on their bodies, identifying them as "fuel cell vehicles." On July 22, 2022, 212 hydrogen-powered buses, previously used for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics, were converted for public transit and began regular operations, marking the city's first fleet of hydrogen buses for routine use. Beijing Public Transport Group currently operates 212 hydrogen fuel cell buses, which had provided transport services for the 2022 Winter Olympics. They now run on 16 regular routes and 7 school routes in the Daxing and Yanqing areas, covering an average daily mileage of about 37,000 kilometers, with a single bus averaging around 191 kilometers per day and a maximum daily mileage of 640 kilometers. To date, the fleet has accumulated over 50.3673 million kilometers, with an average bus traveling over 298,000 kilometers, and the highest mileage bus exceeding 383,500 kilometers. The energy cost per 100 kilometers for hydrogen buses is approximately 180 yuan.
At the Deshengmen West bus depot, light green Route 919 buses can be seen shuttling in and out. "During the Olympics, fewer seats were installed to accommodate athletes' skis and snowboards," explained Wang Dawei, Manager of the Science and Technology Information Department at the Eighth Branch of Beijing Public Transport Group, as he rode the Route 919 Express. Pointing to the rear seats, he added, "After reinstalling the removed seats, each bus can now carry 50 passengers." These vehicles, which performed well during the Olympics, have been upgraded in various details to enhance passenger experience. Sunshades, card readers, and the most significant changes are seen in the driver's cabin. A circular camera installed at the front window monitors the driver's behavior; if any abnormal actions are detected, the system alerts and uploads the data to the management platform for backend supervision. A road warning device installed at the front of the vehicle provides real-time road condition analysis and offers driving guidance to the driver. "These electronic devices are being used on buses for the first time, and we plan to expand their use based on performance," Wang said. Alongside hardware upgrades, driver training has been prioritized. Wang noted that all Route 919 Express drivers have undergone theoretical training on hydrogen energy knowledge and participated in emergency drills, such as hydrogen leak scenarios. Before entering service, all drivers also conducted empty-vehicle drills to adapt to operational procedures and driving visibility.
At the depot, Li Yanbin, a bus driver with 13 years of experience, meticulously inspected his vehicle for the next trip. During the Olympics, he drove these buses for shuttling athletes and media in the Yanqing competition zone. "For experienced drivers like us, learning to operate this bus is straightforward," Li said, his tone tinged with excitement at the chance to bring the vehicle from the Olympics to his familiar route. "There's no noise, it starts smoothly, and the visibility is excellent." Li noted that the Route 919 Express takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes per trip, and he noticed a difference on his first run. "It feels particularly powerful when climbing hills. Previously, once we entered the mountains, driving at over 40 kilometers per hour felt sluggish. Now, whether on flat roads or mountain roads, within the speed limit, the power seems endless." The simple refueling process also gives him peace of mind. "It's similar to refueling with gasoline," Li explained. Opening a small side panel and inserting the hydrogen nozzle, the tank can be filled in 15 to 20 minutes. "I do about two round trips daily, and one full tank of hydrogen lasts the entire day." For hydrogen supply, Beijing Public Transport Group currently relies on two hydrogen refueling stations at Yanqing Qingyuan Street and Wangquanying bus depots, serving the Eighth Branch. Both stations are equipped to fuel hydrogen vehicles with 35MPa and 70MPa systems, each with a total hydrogen storage capacity of 1.35 tonnes and a design daily refueling capacity of 1.5 tonnes. Open 24 hours, they can meet the refueling needs of 100 to 160 hydrogen vehicles daily.
Around 4 p.m., passengers heading to Yanqing were boarding and alighting orderly. Ms. Ma, a passenger who lives in Yanqing and frequently uses Route 919 Express for trips to the city center, said her main takeaway is a more comfortable riding experience, and she praised the vehicles' excellent "carbon reduction" performance: "Zero emissions, zero pollution, enabling us to travel green." Wang Dawei stated that the Eighth Branch has received 169 hydrogen energy buses, with 74 allocated to Yanqing regional bus routes in addition to the Route 919 Express. Data shows that, from their launch until the end of 2026, the 169 hydrogen buses have cumulatively traveled over 50.3673 million kilometers, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 5.424 million kilograms annually compared to conventional fuel vehicles. As the hydrogen energy industry matures, hydrogen-powered public transport will continue to inject new energy into building a low-carbon, efficient, and sustainable modern public transport system for the city.
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