Jyväskylä is taking concrete steps toward launching hydrogen-powered public transport, as five hydrogen buses acquired by the Central Finland Mobility Foundation (Cefmof) are set to arrive in Finland at the beginning of June. The fleet will be handed over to Koiviston Auto Jyväskylä, which will be responsible for operating and maintaining the buses. Service will begin gradually in cooperation with Jyväskylä Region Public Transport.
The buses will be leased to Koiviston Auto Jyväskylä under a two-year rental agreement, and Cefmof will also provide support for operational costs if necessary. The manufacturer CaetanoBus is also participating in the pilot, offering technical support and contributing to the further development of the fleet for northern conditions.
Hydrogen bus pilot as part of the green hydrogen ecosystem
Cefmof’s aim is to promote the adoption of clean transport solutions in Jyväskylä and to provide both residents and industry stakeholders with practical experience and insights into the possibilities of hydrogen use.
The hydrogen bus initiative is closely linked to the construction of a hydrogen refuelling station in Jyväskylä. The station will enable the practical application of hydrogen in transport and provide a platform for real-world experience.
The hydrogen refuelling station will serve both heavy-duty vehicles, such as buses and trucks, and lighter vehicles, including passenger cars, taxis, and vans. Once completed, the station will be an essential part of the emerging green hydrogen ecosystem in Central Finland which is Carbon Neutral. The hydrogen buses will help ensure steady, daily demand for hydrogen.
Hydrogen bus pilot attracts national and international interest
In 2024, technical requirements for the hydrogen buses were defined, compliance with regulatory standards ensured, and the vehicles were visually designed in line with the Linkki branding used in Jyväskylä Region Public Transport. Requirements for the depot and maintenance facilities were also reviewed in preparation for the adoption of the new technology.
Koiviston Auto’s mechanics have already been trained in hydrogen bus maintenance, and driver training will begin in the summer once the buses arrive in Jyväskylä. If the deployment proceeds as planned, the first hydrogen buses may be seen operating in Jyväskylä later in the summer, with the intention of integrating them into local public transport services at the start of the autumn season.
From the perspective of Jyväskylä Region Public Transport, the hydrogen bus pilot is a valuable step toward more low-emission and diversified public transport. The hydrogen buses will complement the current fleet, which includes vehicles powered by electricity, biogas, and renewable diesel.
The two-year pilot project provides an opportunity to test the vehicles’ performance especially in Finland’s varying weather conditions. The experience gained will support broader adoption of hydrogen-powered fleets in Jyväskylä as well as in other Finnish and Nordic cities. The project has already attracted significant attention, and Cefmof is currently planning research collaboration to document and share the findings.
Further information
Lauri Perämäki, deputy director, tel. +358 400 561 872, lauri.peramaki@cefmof.org
Michael Andersson, technical director, tel. +358 50 435 8014, michael.andersson@koivistonauto.fi
Kari Ström, service manager, tel. +358 50 60943, kari.strom@jyvaskyla.fi
Central Finland Mobility Foundation (Cefmof)
The Central Finland Mobility Foundation (Cefmof) was founded by the City of Jyväskylä, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team, and Toyota Mobility Foundation. Cefmof’s mission is to accelerate the development of sustainable mobility and urban planning by harnessing green hydrogen, particularly in ways that are visible in people’s everyday lives.
The foundation’s core activities include experience-based development, innovation, and ecosystem building. It supports projects such as hydrogen-based transportation and the related infrastructure. www.cefmof.org
Koiviston Auto Jyväskylä
Koiviston Auto Jyväskylä Oy is a bus company operating in Jyväskylä and is a subsidiary of Koiviston Auto. The company employs approximately 250 drivers. Koiviston Auto Jyväskylä Oy provides public transport services in the Jyväskylä region in accordance with routes and schedules defined by the transport authority. The company also operates regional transport in Central Finland. www.koivistonauto.fi
Jyväskylä Region Public Transport
Since 1 July 2014, public transport in Jyväskylä, Laukaa, and Muurame has been organized by the regional transport authority, Jyväskylä Region Public Transport. In early 2024, the operating area was expanded to include Äänekoski, Hankasalmi, Toivakka, and Petäjävesi. Practical responsibilities such as schedule and route planning, communication, and marketing are handled by passenger transport unit within the City of Jyväskylä’s urban planning division. https://linkki.jyvaskyla.fi/
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