CaetanoBus and Industria Italiana Autobus (IIA) have signed an agreement to start the production and marketing in Italy of hydrogen-powered city buses based on Toyota Fuel Cell technology and an H2.City Power Kit system developed by CaetanoBus. Both partners are committed to the development of sustainable mobility and the transition of energy sources.
According to this agreement, by the end of 2022, IIA will initially market the Hydrogen buses produced by CaetanoBus, co-branded with Toyota. From 2024 IIA will start direct production of buses for the Italian and international markets equipped with the H2.City Power Kit developed by CaetanoBus.
H2.City Power Kit is a module engineered by CaetanoBus for a Hydrogen energy control system using Toyota’s Fuel Cell module, LTO battery, and Hydrogen tanks to optimize the energy generation from hydrogen, which energy will be then supplied to the power train according to the vehicle needs. The H2.City Power Kit enables industry top-class hydrogen low consumption and high durability.
The Italian company, headquartered in Rome, with production units in Bologna and Flumeri (Avellino), is Italy’s main bus manufacturer. Industria Italiana Autobus, led by President and CEO Antonio Liguori, is under the control of Invitalia, which controls 42. 76% of the capital, is supported by Leonardo, which holds another important stake (28. 65%).
“IIA – explains Liguori – collects the long legacy of the Italian industry of the collective transport. A heritage that dates to 1919, which has always been characterized by attention to the needs of the country and technological evolution. Today, as in the past, we continue to pursue the goals of the ecological transition.”
For CaetanoBus, this partnership is an important step to entering another European Market, with consistent growth in the adoption of sustainable ways of moving people. Patrícia Vasconcelos, CEO of CaetanoBus, recognizes that “in terms of mobility, Italy is a country that has sought to adopt measures aimed at decarbonizing the economy, with a focus on transport in line with current trends in environmental sustainability. IIA is the right partner because we share the same vision aimed at creating a zero-emission society achieved through our joint innovative technologies.”
About IIA
IIA, owner of the historic Menarini brand, is the market leader in Italy in city buses sector. The company is controlled by Invitalia and Leonardo. It has its registered offices in Rome, headquarter in Bologna where the research and development activity are concentrated, while the main production unit is located in Flumeri. The company develops, manufactures, markets and provides after-sales services on a wide range of vehicles from 8 to 18 metres.
About CaetanoBus
CaetanoBus, part of Toyota Caetano Portugal and Mitsui & Co, is a bus and chassis manufacturer in Portugal. The company has a consolidated offer in vehicles for cities and airports which is a result of its technical capacity in developing unique, customer-oriented mobility solutions. CaetanoBus is also the manufacturer of COBUS, the world’s market leader in airport bus transportation. CaetanoBus has been focusing on electric mobility since 1980. CaetanoBus and Toyota strengthened their strategic alliance in December 2020, when Toyota Caetano Portugal became a direct shareholder of CaetanoBus, for further expansion of sustainable mobility solutions. Since July 2021, the zero-emission buses from Caetano are co-branded with Toyota.
