The buses, which are the first of a 15-strong order which will be fulfilled before the end of the year, are Mercedes-Benz ‘Intouro’ intercity buses which Safra has retrofitted with electric drivetrain components, fuel cells, and hydrogen storage tanks.

Chief Commercial Officer Eric Baleviez announced to the press at Busworld that groundbreaking on a new plant in Albi would happen either later this year or early next year.

At the first UITP summit in four years, we report on developments related to two topics: electric vehicles and artificial intelligence.

Safra’s new brand, called ‘Vhysion’, brings together three distinct products in a single portal: for fleet management, vehicle data analytics and vehicle diagnostics.

At the AutoCar Expo, held in Lyon between 12 and 15 October, Safra launched its ‘H2-Pack’ fuel cell retrofit kit for coaches and released details of the first orders for its new ‘Hycity’ fuel-cell electric bus range. 

From 2023, Plastic Omnium will supply the French bus manufacturer with hydrogen tanks and fuel cell systems for its fuel cell electric buses and retrofit kits.

The French manufacturer has announced that it is preparing for the launch of a new hydrogen fuel-cell electric bus, called ‘Hycity’, which will be officially presented at European Mobility Expo in Paris on 7 June.

The buses, fitted with Symbio's "plug and play" hydrogen fuel-cell systems, are slated to become available from December 2021.

Albi-based SAFRA, a long established renovator of buses, trams, metro and funicular vehicles and more recently, a specialist bus builder of high quality innovative hydrogen electric, battery electric and hybrid 9-12m city buses, has announced it is increasing production on the back of an increasing order book.

Albi, France-based Safra, long established renovator of buses, trams, metro and funicular vehicles has been developing rear underslung modular drive units for both hybrid and fuel cell powered Businova buses.