FlixBus introduces four LNG-powered coaches in Italy (by Irizar – Scania)
Four Scania-Irizar i6S models, which can also run on bio-LNG, will be used to connect 30 cities across Italy, particularly in the South of the country. They are the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) coaches ever operating under FlixBus' livery
The first liquefied natural gas (LNG) coaches ever operating under FlixBus‘ livery were presented in Rimini, Italy, at Irizar’s local headquarter, on 15th January 2025.
Four Scania-Irizar i6S models, which can also run on bio-LNG, will be used to connect 30 cities across Italy, particularly in the South of the country.
Flix is also taking part in the research project HyFleet together with its partners Freudenberg Fuel Cell e-Power Systems and ZF, with focus on the rollout of hydrogen coaches. A cooperation with German technology group Freudenberg was announced already in late 2019. Ultimate goal? Having hydrogen long-distance buses on the European network by 2024, according to information shared at the beginning of the project. However, battery-electric coach pilots are now launched again, after a couple pilots were launched in 2018 – 2019 in France and Germany (the German project was discontinued due to technical issues).
Irizar – Scania LNG coaches for FlixBus
The new coaches presented in Rimini are 14-meter, three-axle models with a capacity of 54 passengers. The gas tank is located on the left side, reducing the luggage compartment capacity by 1.8 cubic meters (from the usual size between 6.5 and 6.9 cubic meters), leaving an estimated capacity of around 5 cubic meters. To compensate for the reduced luggage space, additional luggage racks are placed above the LNG compartment.
The Swedish company Scania has never hidden its “affection” for gas technology. In 2024, gas technology accounted for 1,295 of the 4,920 total registrations of vehicles over 8 tons in Italy.
This means that 26.3% of vehicles registered in Italy in 2024 were gas-powered. Scania (providing the chassis) and Irizar (the bodybuilder) have chosen to focus on LNG technology, that sees Italy in a position of European leader, with 172 operating stations (including 7 for bio-LNG) and another 21 under construction. What is interesting, Scania is also developing a plug-in hybrid coach model…
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Scania believes in LNG coaches (while developing a plug-in hybrid). And the e-bus chassis is ready for the market
“We want to give everyone the opportunity to travel sustainably, guaranteeing an efficient service on the territory and encouraging people to embrace a new approach to travel, based on collective transport. The meeting between our capillary network and the cutting-edge technological skills of Irizar and Scania will help us pursue this objective even more effectively. At the same time, we hope that institutions will support this journey towards the ecological transition, with incentives for the renewal of fleets with a sustainable perspective and the creation and development of an adequate supply network,” declared Cesare Neglia, Managing Director of FlixBus Italy (recently interviewed by our sister media Autobusweb).
“The vehicles chosen by the operators represent the best solution available on the market today in terms of comfort and safety, both for the driver and for passengers, thanks to the higher air quality guaranteed by innovative air conditioners, digital rear-view mirrors for a wider viewing angle of the surrounding environment, reduced noise and vibrations, and an ergonomic design that has allowed us to optimize the space on board. We are proud to collaborate with leaders like FlixBus and Scania to design increasingly advanced solutions,” said Antonio Bornacci, Managing Director of Irizar Italia.
“The goal of this partnership is to put people at the center. Coaches allow around 150 million people to visit Italy every year. We want and need to offer a transport solution that not only respects the environment, with cutting-edge technologies, but also people. Scania continues to invest in these directions, developing increasingly efficient and safe systems,” added Enrique Enrich, President and CEO of Scania Italy.
