Wuxi in East China's Jiangsu province launches the city's first hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle PDL (passenger dedicated line) on July 10. [Photo/wxrb.com]

Wuxi in East China's Jiangsu province launched the city's first hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle PDL (passenger dedicated line) on July 10, running from Sunan Shuofang International Airport to Jiangyin Bus Station.

Four SAIC MAXUS FCV80 fuel-cell light passenger vehicles will serve on the route. As the first of their kind, the four vehicles are expected to run 330,000 kilometers per year, carrying about 18,000 passengers and saving about 33,000 liters of fuel.

Hydrogen fuel has been widely recognized as the cleanest energy, as it generates only water during the fuelling process and does not cause any pollution. Following global trends, hydrogen fuel has also been considered as a final solution for the vehicle industry.

According to the manufacturer, the SAIC MAXUS FCV80 can cover 500 km on fuel added in only three minutes, and can be used as conveniently as a normal fuel vehicle. "But they have advantages in technology, safety, environmental protection and endurance capability," said Xie Jiayue from SAIC MAXUS.

The vehicles are running six shifts a day from 10:50 am to 6:50 pm, passing through six stations: Sunan Shuofang International Airport, Wuxi East Railway Station, Jincheng Expressway, Beijing-Shanghai Expressway, Lixin Road and Jiangyin Bus Station.

Wuxi city is planning to build more hydrogen stations and other supporting facilities.