Present in 19 countries
Nomad Hydrogen Car (NCH2) - The stages of the project in pictures
3 videos to learn everything about retrofitting the Nomad Hydrogen Car!
1 - The project and its partners :
The world’s first retrofitted coach. Here are the key points from the visual content and on‑screen text: Global Innovation This is the first coach in the world to be retrofitted — its diesel engine has been replaced with an electric motor powered by decarbonized hydrogen. Intended Use This coach will operate on line 216 between Évreux and Rouen and will begin transporting passengers in 2024. Sustainable Mobility While running, it emits only water vapor. It has a daily range of 600 km and is particularly quiet. Collaboration and Ecosystem The project is led by the Normandy Region, Transdev, and Nomad (the Normandy mobility network), together with numerous technical and financial partners such as Engie and Caisse d’Épargne.
2 – A hydrogen-powered bus: how does it work?
What Is Retrofit? Retrofit refers to the process of transforming an existing vehicle into a new type of vehicle [00:16]. In this case, it is a world first: a diesel coach has been converted into a hydrogen‑electric coach [00:25]. Technical Operation of the Vehicle Storage: Ten hydrogen tanks and a fuel cell are installed on the roof of the coach [00:34]. Energy conversion: The fuel cell converts hydrogen into electricity [00:45]. Power supply: This electricity charges the onboard batteries, which then power the electric motor located at the rear of the vehicle [00:54]. Refurbishment: The interior of the coach has been completely renovated to give it a more modern look, in line with the innovation behind the project [01:02]. Testing and Approval Refueling: The video shows the first hydrogen refueling tests at the Engie station in Vieil‑Évreux [01:23]. Commissioning: The coach must first run empty for test phases before being allowed to carry passengers, once approval is granted by the National Vehicle Approval Center (Centre national de réception des véhicules) [01:33]. Environmental Benefits According to CERTAM’s laboratory, this coach saves each year [01:47]: 50 tonnes of CO₂ [01:56] 300 kg of nitrogen oxides [01:56] 200 g of fine particulate matter [01:56] The only emission from this vehicle is water vapor [02:07]. Operational Details Served line: The coach will operate on the Rouen–Évreux express line, with a stop in Louviers [02:13]. Consumption: It will be refilled daily with 30 kg of hydrogen at the Vieil‑Évreux station [02:20].
3 – The transformation of the bus in pictures
Find all the stages of the project,
from its inauguration on June 3, 2021, to its operation and commissioning in 2024 on this page. Immerse yourself in the heart of a world first, stay connected!
stay connected!
August 2021: Onboard measurements carried out by CERTAM
During the summer, the CERTAM, a research laboratory and expert in on-board measurement, used its PEMS-LAB® in real-life conditions on the Rouen Evreux route to estimate the tonnages of CO2 and pollutants avoided thanks to the substitution of diesel by hydrogen. An opportunity for Mr Hubert Dejean de la Batie, Vice-President of the Normandy Region in charge of environmental and energy transition, to present the project to France 3 Normandie journalists.
NCH2 avec Certam
01/02
02/02
September 2021: Life cycle analysis by INSA Rouen Normandie
The INSA Rouen Normandie finalized in September 2021 a life cycle analysis of the retrofitted coach, based on different hydrogen production or retrofit scenarios. This study confirms the importance of considering the use of the most decarbonized and local hydrogen production possible to refuel the retrofitted coach.
INSA rouen Normandie
October 2021: Departure of the Iveco Crossway bus to the workshop
The thermal vehicle has left the Transdev Normandie depot to head for the workshops of the IBFH2 company. A specialist in the conversion of public transport vehicles, it brings to the project all its know-how and professionalism in the integration of the hydrogen system and its maintenance in accordance with the Rétrofit ministerial decree of March 13, 2020. The Nomad Car Hydrogène is now ready to be dismantled and retrofitted in the IBFH2 workshop.
départ car H2
November 2021: Visit to the hydrogen production site in Lens
Over time, a continuous training module for drivers will be developed by the Campus des Métiers et des Qualifications "industries de la mobilité".
To carry out this project, teachers from the Lycée Lavoisier in Le Havre visited Transdev's operating site in Lens, which has a fleet of hydrogen-powered buses, in order to prepare the elements needed to upgrade drivers' skills to operate the Nomad Car Hydrogène.
December 2021: Citizen participation around hydrogen
Restitution de l'atelier (pdf)As part of the Nomad Car Hydrogen collaborative innovation project, Le Dôme, a sociological research institute in Caen, held a public consultation workshop on hydrogen mobility.
Drivers, users, and project stakeholders came together to develop a citizen-led, responsible analysis of the emergence of new technologies linked to the energy transition, particularly the use of hydrogen.
Check out the summary of the evening in pictures and in the attached report!
01/04
02/04
03/04
04/04
December 2021: Arrival of the Retrofit Kit at the IBFH2 workshop
The retrofit kit, mounted on a chassis, was produced to European standards at the end of September 2021, and was then run in for almost 1,500km. It is functional, and was shipped from its production plant (in Asia) to France between October and December. The retrofit of the coach can now begin!
UTAC An initial technical file has been submitted to UTAC. The homologation process is currently being programmed, and meetings are scheduled between the project's stakeholders to enable the retrofitted vehicle to be put into operation in 2022.
January 2022: Start of retrofitting and presentation to stakeholders
The hydrogen retrofit of the Iveco Crossway Euro 5 diesel bus is underway in the workshops of IBFH2. On January 26, a delegation from the Normandy Region and several media outlets visited the workshop to see the retrofit kit, which also provided an opportunity to present the project in detail and summarize the key steps already completed.
présentation NCH2 transdev Région
01/02
02/02
During this visit, IBFH2 President Fernand de Sousa presented Normandy Region Vice President David Margueritte and Transdev Normandy Regional Director Sylvain Picard with the components currently included in the retrofit kit that will be integrated into the Crossway bus as part of its retrofit.
IBFH2 presse
“The project incorporates a Siemens electric motor, a Ballard fuel cell, Plastic Omnium hydrogen tanks, and CATL batteries. All of the components we will be integrating into the vehicle are recognized for their quality and reliability.”
February 2022: Drivers and hydrogen
The sociological research institute Le Dôme held a new participatory workshop to gather the wishes and comments of drivers, their profession, and more broadly the habits of passengers on the Nomad transport network in the Normandy region.
There were very fruitful discussions on mobility and the arrival of hydrogen with the drivers of Transdev Normandie Interurbain, who will be driving the Nomad Hydrogen Car on the Rouen/Évreux line when it enters service!
hydrogène conducteur
February 2022: Visit to the IBF workshop by the Hauts de France delegation
The Nomad Car Hydrogène project is attracting interest from many local authorities, including the Région Hauts de France where the IBF H2 workshop is located. A delegation made up of the Vice-President Environment of the Hauts de France Region, elected representatives from the Grand Amiénois but also local players including the director of Pôlénergie and the energy syndicate attended.
February 2022: Dismantling of the Car Crossway
The retrofit entered its operational phase with the dismantling of the car in the IBF H2 workshops.
The engine and gearbox, which are the most important parts of the combustion engine vehicle, were dismantled, along with all the components driven by them (radiator, air conditioning and vehicle compressor, power steering pump, tank, Webasto diesel heater). This first major step was accompanied by dismantling work inside the bus, including the removal of the upholstery, luggage racks, and various plastic components.
March 2022: Hydrogen and you?
Summary of the 5 main themes (pdf)Last March, Le Dôme held another citizen listening workshop on hydrogen, but this time it was aimed at hydrogen stakeholders, people involved in energy, or simply people interested in the project.
Bus users, pedestrians, and motorists—each group was able to put themselves in the shoes of their persona and define the advantages and disadvantages of the Nomad Hydrogen Car project and, more broadly, of hydrogen in the mobility of tomorrow.
This workshop is an opportunity to share the results of the studies conducted by Le Dôme and to highlight the five major themes that emerged, which can be found in the attached report!
01/02
02/02
March 2022: Integration of the hydrogen retrofit kit
Back in the IBF H2 workshops, where the teams worked on the stripped-down vehicle. A lot of thought and preparation went into installing the new retrofit kit components (motor, batteries, electrical boxes, and radiators), as well as protective plates and supports.
The teams paid particular attention to the engine compartment, which was reinforced, sandblasted, treated with rustproofing, and repainted to better integrate the kit.
June 2022: Interior retrofit of the bus
The vehicle retrofit is also continuing inside. We have completely removed the existing seats to install more comfortable seats that meet the expectations of the Normandy Region and passengers for its future operation on the Rouen-Evreux Express line. A special design has been created for the seats, which passengers will soon be able to discover.
The vehicle's dashboard has also been completely redesigned to make way for a digital display specific to this new vehicle, showing electricity and hydrogen consumption, among other things. LED lighting has also been installed by the manufacturer's teams.
June 2022: Release of the IBFH H2 workshops
The retrofitting of the bus is now complete. The vehicle has left the IBF H2 workshops to undergo hydrogen refueling tests scheduled for the coming weeks. The bus's profile has changed slightly due to the integration of hydrogen tanks on the vehicle's roof.
01/03
02/03
03/03
June 2022: Installation of the NOMAD H2 livery
The manufacturer's teams have done a remarkable job of converting the Iveco Crossway diesel bus into a hydrogen-powered electric bus. All that remains is to apply the Nomad livery characteristic of Normandy's regional bus routes.
This livery includes a special feature on this vehicle with the slogan “I run on hydrogen” and H2 pictograms, which highlight this new technology and its environmental benefits, but also alert emergency services in the event of an incident and enable them to apply the specific procedures for H2.
August 2022: Participatory Research, conclusions
Final presentation of the study (pdf)Le Dôme, Transdev and the Normandy Region are pleased to send you the restitution of the final survey conducted as part of the NCH2 project's participatory research.
This survey was conducted among 50 people, users of the Rouen-Evreux line as well as local residents or those curious about the project.
The various insights and recommendations for future public transport renewal and deployment in Normandy can be found in the attached feedback document!
September 2022: Vehicle departure for UTAC
utac-new-brand-name
February 2023: Restitution of the legal watch on the project
Throughout the project, IDIT monitored regulatory and legal developments to enable all project partners to benefit from recent French and European developments related to hydrogen and retrofitting.
We have taken care to provide you with this comprehensive report on the project.
June 2023: France Hydrogen Award, winner of the public prize
During the Hydrogen Days event in Pau, the Nomad Hydrogen Car was named winner of the “General Public” award from among 37 candidates at the France Hydrogen Awards, which recognize projects, solutions, and services that have a positive impact on the hydrogen value chain and deployment.
Transdev Normandy received the award in the presence of Olivier Hans, Director of Fleet, Maintenance and Infrastructure at Transdev Occitanie, and Mathilde Belhache, Hydrogen Project Manager for the Normandy Region.
This is well-deserved recognition for our mobility solution, which contributes to reducing GHG emissions and air pollutants in the Normandy region!
01/02
02/02
Eco-friendly website
0.5
This page is times lighter than average
Emissions from this page
0.26
in grams
of CO2 equivalent
of CO2 equivalent