Ten hydrogen-powered NesoBus vehicles have entered regular service in Krakow, marking a milestone for Polish public transport. The buses, manufactured domestically by PAK-PCE Polski Autobus Wodorowy, cost 2.93 million zlotys net each. The city’s municipal transport company MPK presented the fleet at the Płaszów depot on 30 June 2026.
The 12-metre low-floor buses can carry up to 88 passengers, including 29 seated. They are equipped with air conditioning, passenger information systems, and accessibility features for people with reduced mobility. Each bus uses a 70 kW hydrogen fuel cell that generates electricity on board, providing a range of up to 450 kilometres on a single tank.
MPK Krakow spent four years testing hydrogen vehicles from various manufacturers before deciding to purchase. “The decision was not rushed,” said Stanisław Kracik, acting mayor of Krakow. “Today, the testing phase turns into regular service for the residents.”
Fuel supply deal with Orlen
Alongside the bus debut, MPK signed a one-year contract with Orlen Południe for hydrogen deliveries. The agreement covers an estimated 51,840 kg of hydrogen at a maximum cost of 3.5 million zlotys net. It also includes a mobile refuelling system until the permanent infrastructure is ready, with an option to extend for another 51 tonnes in the second year.
Orlen Południe has already supplied over 23 tonnes of hydrogen to Krakow during the four-year testing period. Wojciech Rzepka, CEO of Orlen Południe, said: “The energy transition is happening here and now. Our hydrogen hub in Trzebinia is a key pillar of this strategy.”
Funding from national and EU sources
The purchase of the ten hydrogen buses was supported by a grant from the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management (NFOŚiGW) under the Green Public Transport programme, financed by the National Recovery Plan (KPO). The total non-refundable subsidy exceeded 130 million zlotys, covering nearly 100 per cent of eligible costs.
Piotr Stępiński, director of the electromobility department at NFOŚiGW, stated: “We have allocated over 4.3 billion zlotys to support the purchase of nearly 1,500 zero-emission vehicles, including hydrogen and electric buses and trolleybuses.” With this addition, MPK Krakow now operates 168 zero-emission buses, representing 25 per cent of its entire fleet.
Future of hydrogen mobility in Poland
According to the Polish Automotive Industry Association (PZPM) and the Polish Alternative Fuels Association (PSNM), Poland had 169 hydrogen buses on the roads at the end of May 2026. Krakow’s new fleet is part of a larger project that also included the delivery of 37 electric buses with plug-in chargers, all financed through the same KPO investment.
Rafał Świerczyński, president of MPK Krakow, emphasised the importance of reliable hydrogen supply: “That is why we are pleased with the contract with Orlen Południe. The delivery of the ten hydrogen buses completes a major EU-funded project for 47 new buses.”
The NesoBus, designed and built in Poland, demonstrates that domestic industry can compete in the emerging hydrogen transport market. Tomasz Jasłowski, production director at PAK-PCE Polski Autobus Wodorowy, concluded: “Deploying hydrogen technologies is a key element of the energy transition in urban transport. It improves air quality, reduces CO₂ emissions, and increases the efficiency of public transport systems.”
Źródło: WNP.PL, Fot. MPK Kraków
