{"id":1941617,"date":"2026-05-18T08:11:32","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T05:11:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1941617"},"modified":"2026-05-18T08:11:32","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T05:11:32","slug":"exclusive-polands-hydrogen-buses-confront-prohibitive-fuel-costs-new-report-claims","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1941617","title":{"rendered":"Exclusive: Poland\u2019s hydrogen buses confront prohibitive fuel costs, new report claims"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/99\/94\/1200x675_cmsv2_380194cd-7774-5d59-8159-10a185f1e959-9759994.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2894641-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2894641\" data-cid=\"9762821\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2894641-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/12\/47\/189x106_cmsv2_14457a33-bc2b-5259-8aa4-12c155790af6-9521247.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The EU-China summit, July 2025, Beijing, China.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    As trade war with China looms, how can the EU defend itself?\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2894661-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2894661\" data-cid=\"9762999\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2894661-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/29\/99\/189x106_cmsv2_9ae66edc-7c19-529a-9ea1-e9dffc87bb8a-9762999.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE: This undated photograph released by the UAE's state-run WAM news agency shows the under-construction Barakah nuclear power plant in Abu Dhabi's Western desert\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    United Arab Emirates<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    UAE still investigating mystery nuclear plant drone attack\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2894657-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2894657\" data-cid=\"9762995\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2894657-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/29\/95\/189x106_cmsv2_c37e9b45-5baf-5230-9785-757bdab203d8-9762995.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Latest news bulletin | May 18th, 2026 \u2013 Evening\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Top News Stories Today<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Latest news bulletin | May 18th, 2026 \u2013 Evening\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2893728-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2893728\" data-cid=\"9758776\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2893728-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/87\/76\/189x106_cmsv2_edcb06dd-e20e-56ee-8e33-193f72de4300-9758776.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"2026 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News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    As trade war with China looms, how can the EU defend itself?\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2894661-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2894661\" data-cid=\"9762999\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2894661-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/29\/99\/189x106_cmsv2_9ae66edc-7c19-529a-9ea1-e9dffc87bb8a-9762999.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE: This undated photograph released by the UAE's state-run WAM news agency shows the under-construction Barakah nuclear power plant in Abu Dhabi's Western desert\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    United Arab Emirates<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    UAE still investigating mystery nuclear plant drone attack\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2894657-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2894657\" data-cid=\"9762995\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2894657-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/29\/95\/189x106_cmsv2_c37e9b45-5baf-5230-9785-757bdab203d8-9762995.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Latest news bulletin | May 18th, 2026 \u2013 Evening\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Top News Stories Today<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Latest news bulletin | May 18th, 2026 \u2013 Evening\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2893728-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2893728\" data-cid=\"9758776\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2893728-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/87\/76\/189x106_cmsv2_edcb06dd-e20e-56ee-8e33-193f72de4300-9758776.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"2026 International Booker prize shortlist preview\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Culture news<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    The six books competing for the International Booker Prize 2026\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Europe<\/p>\n<p>                          Europe News<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            Exclusive: Poland\u2019s hydrogen buses confront prohibitive fuel costs, new report claims<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/99\/94\/1536x864_cmsv2_380194cd-7774-5d59-8159-10a185f1e959-9759994.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"Workers prepare electric buses at the Solaris bus factory in Poznan, Poland, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026. \"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              Workers prepare electric buses at the Solaris bus factory in Poznan, Poland, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026.<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">AP Photo \/ Pietro De Cristofaro<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0AP Photo \/ Pietro De Cristofaro\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspMarta Pacheco\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1779091892\">\n         Published on<br \/>\n            <time datetime=\"2026-05-18 10:11:32 +02:00\">18\/05\/2026 &#8211; 10:11 GMT+2<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-partage-commentaire-share\"><span>Share<\/span><\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup-overlay js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup-overlay u-display-none\">\n<div id=\"js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup\" class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup\">\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup__header u-display-flex\"><span>Share<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" 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loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"bluesky\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Bluesky<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"bluesky\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"threads\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Threads<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        The new report argues that despite massive investment in hydrogen-powered buses in Poland, electric buses are less costly and less polluting due to Warsaw&#8217;s reliance on non-renewable hydrogen. In contrast, Germany emerges as a success story for hydrogen buses.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>Poland\u2019s ambitious push to build a hydrogen-powered public transport system is faltering, with several buses halted by soaring fuel costs and fragile infrastructure, according to a new report by the NGO Central and Eastern Europe Bankwatch Network.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Polish municipalities embraced hydrogen buses largely because subsidy schemes covered up to 100% of vehicle purchase costs, while electric buses typically received only 60\u201380% support, according to the report. But once hydrogen buses entered service, operators discovered the fuel was dramatically more expensive than electricity. <\/p>\n<p>The analysis argues that hydrogen buses were promoted as a shortcut to green transport, backed by generous EU and state funding, but many municipalities are now retreating toward battery-electric alternatives after confronting prohibitive fuel costs and the lack of refueling stations.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id data-event=\"widget_related\">\n<div class=\"c-widget-related__title\"><b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b><\/div>\n<ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">EU invests \u20ac650 million in cross-border hydrogen and electricity infrastructure projects <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>Cities like Rybnik reported that hydrogen fleets were more than three times as costly as diesel and four times as costly as hybrids. In Rzesz\u00f3w, fuel costs over 15 years were projected to exceed the purchase price of the buses themselves, the CEE Bankwatch Network report states.<\/p>\n<p>By the end of April, Poland had 247 hydrogen buses in total, either deployed or contracted by municipalities. 140 buses are already in service, while 107 have been contracted but not yet deployed. <\/p>\n<p>Despite high hydrogen ambitions, Poland had only nine hydrogen refueling stations by the end of 2025 against the 32 envisaged by the government&#8217;s 2021 hydrogen strategy. In comparison, the country boasts more than 12,500 electric charging stations by early 2026.<\/p>\n<h2>Questioning &#8216;zero-emission&#8217; buses<\/h2>\n<p>Under EU rules to make public buses cleaner and less polluting, every EU country must ensure that some of the buses they buy for public transport use cleaner energy rather than traditional diesel.<\/p>\n<p>This means that when cities or transport authorities purchase new buses, a certain number must run on cleaner technologies such as electric batteries or hydrogen, or use lower-carbon fuels like biofuels.<\/p>\n<p>EU officials touted hydrogen as a flagship technology capable of decarbonising transport while supporting a domestic hydrogen economy. But the technology\u2019s high fuel costs, limited renewable hydrogen supply and immature infrastructure exposed deep structural weaknesses, at least in Poland.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id data-event=\"widget_related\">\n<div class=\"c-widget-related__title\"><b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b><\/div>\n<ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">EU hydrogen market hampered by costly production and uncertainty, energy regulators say<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>The report also raises concerns about whether buses powered by non-renewable hydrogen should count as &#8220;green&#8221; public transportation, given that over 97% of the fuel is produced from fossil gas. The NGO argues that hydrogen buses are labeled \u201czero-emission\u201d only because they emit no tailpipe exhaust, while ignoring emissions associated with their fossil fuel generation. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Polish hydrogen buses were widely presented as clean and zero-emission, but in practice the fuel was mostly fossil-derived and even the limited electrolytic hydrogen did not meet strict EU renewable standards,&#8221; reads the study, referring to Poland&#8217;s use of biomass-generated electricity, which the report argues that it does not qualify as &#8220;green energy&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>Battery-electric buses, by contrast, advanced rapidly in range, charging infrastructure and economics during the same period, the report argues. <\/p>\n<p>Poland\u2019s electricity sector is rapidly shifting from coal to renewables like wind and solar. According to the energy think tank Ember, renewables generate about 30% of electricity, though coal still accounts for roughly half of the country&#8217;s electricity production.<\/p>\n<p>Cities including Wroc\u0142aw, P\u0142ock and \u017bory revised procurement plans after concluding electric vehicles offered lower risk and lower costs, the report claims. Krak\u00f3w also scaled back its hydrogen ambitions due to uncertainty over fuel supply and infrastructure.<\/p>\n<p>Polish automakers Solaris Bus &amp; Coach and NesoBus have deployed numerous hydrogen and electric vehicles in cities such as Pozna\u0144, Konin, Lublin and Wa\u0142brzych.<\/p>\n<h2>Dodgy funding<\/h2>\n<p>Despite the challenges, the Polish government received on 23 April a new batch of EU funds amounting to \u20ac7.2 billion, of which \u20ac500 million is intended to unlock hydrogen investments, particularly to boost private sector growth in renewable and low-carbon hydrogen production, according to the European Commission.<\/p>\n<p>With EU grants, Warsaw is considering deploying more than 1,000 electric or hydrogen buses and trolleybuses to accelerate the shift to clean public transport. Questions remain whether the government will prioritise electric or hydrogen buses.<\/p>\n<p>The Polish government didn&#8217;t respond in time to a request for publication from Euronews.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id data-event=\"widget_related\">\n<div class=\"c-widget-related__title\"><b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b><\/div>\n<ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">EU risks channeling climate funds to dirty energy projects, experts say<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>The CEE Bankwatch Network claims projects involving the procurement of hydrogen buses or the development of hydrogen refuelling stations have received more than \u20ac120.7 million in non-repayable grants and nearly \u20ac6.08 million in loans, backing the deployment of 163 buses and two stations. <\/p>\n<p>On top of that, 73 fuel-cell electric buses and one refueling station were funded through projects that also included battery-electric buses, charging infrastructure and other investments, which the NGO claims make it impossible to determine the precise share of funding allocated specifically to hydrogen-related components.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Hundreds of millions of euros from EU public funds spent to artificially create demand for hydrogen in Polish public transport could and should have been used to deploy real, try-and-tested solutions which already offer benefits to local communities and the climate,&#8221; said the report&#8217;s author, Diana Maciaga.<\/p>\n<h2>Germany&#8217;s successful hydrogen story<\/h2>\n<p>Contrary to Poland, Germany emerges as a hydrogen success story, currently operating over 600 hydrogen-powered public transport buses. The country will soon receive an additional 19 hydrogen buses, after the Polish Solaris Bus &amp; Coach won a tender on 4 May.<\/p>\n<p>Solaris has delivered over 800 hydrogen buses serving passengers in dozens of cities across Europe, with Germany leading the market. France, Italy, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands have also deployed a considerable number of hydrogen buses over the past years.<\/p>\n<p>Laurent Donceel, director for transport, sustainability, and industrial policy at the trade body Hydrogen Europe, said that Poland&#8217;s early-stage struggles to secure a clean hydrogen supply are &#8220;completely normal&#8221; given that the country is just getting started in a nascent industry.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id data-event=\"widget_related\">\n<div class=\"c-widget-related__title\"><b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b><\/div>\n<ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">Europe&#8217;s hydrogen heroes are leading the way worldwide<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>The industry group recognises Poland as the &#8220;leading EU country in fuel bus production&#8221; adding that the potential of all clean-tech transport solutions should be explored, given Warsaw&#8217;s crucial role in road transport for the country&#8217;s economy. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;With proper incentives and regulatory support at the EU and national level, it will not take much time for it to catch up to countries like Germany. It&#8217;s also worth noting that with Poland&#8217;s current coal-heavy energy mix, clean hydrogen remains the best decarbonisation option,&#8221; Donceel told Euronews.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-partage-commentaire-share\"><span>Share<\/span><\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  EU invests \u20ac650 million in cross-border hydrogen and electricity infrastructure projects <\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  EU hydrogen market hampered by costly production and uncertainty, energy regulators say<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Can green hydrogen decarbonise the shipping sector?<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  EU Policy<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Poland<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  energy transition<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Hydrogen<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-top-stories\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-top-stories\">\n<h2 class=\"c-top-stories__title\">Top stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2894641-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2894641\" data-cid=\"9762821\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2894641-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/12\/47\/320x180_cmsv2_14457a33-bc2b-5259-8aa4-12c155790af6-9521247.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The EU-China summit, July 2025, Beijing, China.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    As trade war with China looms, how can the EU defend itself?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2894588-pos3-top-stories\" 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<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2894489-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2894489\" data-cid=\"9762020\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Japan arrests Americans over stunt at baby monkey Punch&#8217;s zoo<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2893969-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2893969\" data-cid=\"9759994\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Poland\u2019s hydrogen buses confront high fuel costs, new report claims<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2894416-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2894416\" data-cid=\"9761748\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Europe\u2019s poverty divide: Which cities and regions are most at risk?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2894284-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2894284\" data-cid=\"9761309\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Terrorism scenario excluded following Modena car attack<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">Poland\u2019s ambitious push to build a hydrogen-powered public transport system is faltering, with several buses halted by soaring fuel costs and fragile infrastructure, according to a new report by the NGO Central and Eastern Europe Bankwatch Network.Polish municipalities embraced hydrogen buses largely because subsidy schemes covered up to 100% of vehicle purchase costs, while electric buses typically received only 60\u201380% support, according to the report. But once hydrogen buses entered service, operators discovered the fuel was dramatically more expensive than electricity.The analysis argues that hydrogen buses were promoted as a shortcut to green transport, backed by generous EU and state funding, but many municipalities are now retreating toward battery-electric alternatives after confronting prohibitive fuel costs and the lack of refueling stations.Cities like Rybnik reported that hydrogen fleets were more than three times as costly as diesel and four times as costly as hybrids. In Rzesz\u00f3w, fuel costs over 15 years were projected to exceed the purchase price of the buses themselves, the CEE Bankwatch Network report states.By the end of April, Poland had 247 hydrogen buses in total, either deployed or contracted by municipalities. 140 buses are already in service, while 107 have been contracted but not yet deployed.Despite high hydrogen ambitions, Poland had only nine hydrogen refueling stations by the end of 2025 against the 32 envisaged by the government&#8217;s 2021 hydrogen strategy. In comparison, the country boasts more than 12,500 electric charging stations by early 2026.Questioning &#8216;zero-emission&#8217; busesUnder EU rules to make public buses cleaner and less polluting, every EU country must ensure that some of the buses they buy for public transport use cleaner energy rather than traditional diesel.This means that when cities or transport authorities purchase new buses, a certain number must run on cleaner technologies such as electric batteries or hydrogen, or use lower-carbon fuels like biofuels.EU officials touted hydrogen as a flagship technology capable of decarbonising transport while supporting a domestic hydrogen economy. But the technology\u2019s high fuel costs, limited renewable hydrogen supply and immature infrastructure exposed deep structural weaknesses, at least in Poland.The report also raises concerns about whether buses powered by non-renewable hydrogen should count as &#8220;green&#8221; public transportation, given that over 97% of the fuel is produced from fossil gas. The NGO argues that hydrogen buses are labeled \u201czero-emission\u201d only because they emit no tailpipe exhaust, while ignoring emissions associated with their fossil fuel generation.&#8221;Polish hydrogen buses were widely presented as clean and zero-emission, but in practice the fuel was mostly fossil-derived and even the limited electrolytic hydrogen did not meet strict EU renewable standards,&#8221; reads the study, referring to Poland&#8217;s use of biomass-generated electricity, which the report argues that it does not qualify as &#8220;green energy&#8221;.Battery-electric buses, by contrast, advanced rapidly in range, charging infrastructure and economics during the same period, the report argues.Poland\u2019s electricity sector is rapidly shifting from coal to renewables like wind and solar. According to the energy think tank Ember, renewables generate about 30% of electricity, though coal still accounts for roughly half of the country&#8217;s electricity production.Cities including Wroc\u0142aw, P\u0142ock and \u017bory revised procurement plans after concluding electric vehicles offered lower risk and lower costs, the report claims. Krak\u00f3w also scaled back its hydrogen ambitions due to uncertainty over fuel supply and infrastructure.Polish automakers Solaris Bus &amp; Coach and NesoBus have deployed numerous hydrogen and electric vehicles in cities such as Pozna\u0144, Konin, Lublin and Wa\u0142brzych.Dodgy fundingDespite the challenges, the Polish government received on 23 April a new batch of EU funds amounting to \u20ac7.2 billion, of which \u20ac500 million is intended to unlock hydrogen investments, particularly to boost private sector growth in renewable and low-carbon hydrogen production, according to the European Commission.With EU grants, Warsaw is considering deploying more than 1,000 electric or hydrogen buses and trolleybuses to accelerate the shift to clean public transport. Questions remain whether the government will prioritise electric or hydrogen buses.The Polish government didn&#8217;t respond in time to a request for publication from Euronews.The CEE Bankwatch Network claims projects involving the procurement of hydrogen buses or the development of hydrogen refuelling stations have received more than \u20ac120.7 million in non-repayable grants and nearly \u20ac6.08 million in loans, backing the deployment of 163 buses and two stations.On top of that, 73 fuel-cell electric buses and one refueling station were funded through projects that also included battery-electric buses, charging infrastructure and other investments, which the NGO claims make it impossible to determine the precise share of funding allocated specifically to hydrogen-related components.&#8221;Hundreds of millions of euros from EU public funds spent to\u00a0artificially create demand\u00a0for hydrogen in Polish public transport could and should have been used to deploy real, try-and-tested solutions which already offer benefits to local communities and the climate,&#8221; said the report&#8217;s author, Diana Maciaga.Germany&#8217;s successful hydrogen storyContrary to Poland, Germany emerges as a hydrogen success story, currently operating over 600 hydrogen-powered public transport buses. The country will soon receive an additional 19 hydrogen buses, after the Polish Solaris Bus &amp; Coach won a tender on 4 May.Solaris has\u00a0delivered over 800 hydrogen buses serving passengers in\u00a0dozens of\u00a0cities across Europe, with Germany leading the market. France, Italy, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands have also deployed a considerable number of hydrogen buses over the past years.Laurent Donceel, director for transport, sustainability, and industrial policy at the trade body Hydrogen Europe, said that Poland&#8217;s early-stage struggles to secure a clean hydrogen supply are &#8220;completely normal&#8221; given that the country is just getting started in a nascent industry.The industry group recognises Poland as the &#8220;leading EU country in fuel bus production&#8221; adding that the potential of all clean-tech transport solutions should be explored, given Warsaw&#8217;s crucial role in road transport for the country&#8217;s economy.&#8221;With proper incentives and regulatory support at the EU and national level, it will not take much time for it to catch up to countries like Germany. It&#8217;s also worth noting that with Poland&#8217;s current coal-heavy energy mix, clean hydrogen remains the best decarbonisation option,&#8221; Donceel told Euronews.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2026\/05\/18\/exclusive-polands-hydrogen-buses-confront-prohibitive-fuel-costs-new-report-claims&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/99\/94\/1200x675_cmsv2_380194cd-7774-5d59-8159-10a185f1e959-9759994.jpg&#8221;] Europe News As trade war with China looms, how can the EU defend itself? United Arab Emirates UAE still investigating mystery nuclear plant drone attack Top News Stories Today Latest news bulletin | May 18th, 2026 \u2013 Evening Culture news The six books competing for the International Booker Prize 2026 Europe News [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-1941617","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1941617","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1941617"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1941617\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1941617"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1941617"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1941617"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}