A hydrogen double decker bus ended its first ever UK tour at a Glasgow school ahead of COP26.

The UK Hydrogen Roadshow arrived at Jordanhill School on Friday after a 600-mile journey which began in London on October 18. The pupils were able to explore the bus before it heads to the upcoming UN climate conference in the city.

The kids were also given a presentation on how the hydrogen fuel works to eliminate emissions – with the only by-product being water – and charges the bus with batteries.Glasgow Times:

Pupil Amelie Lapthorn, 11, was delighted with what she learned aboard the bus.

Amelie said: “We’ve learned that hydrogen is a really great renewable source for the future and it can be used for trains, boats and planes. I like how it ejects water, and the water is clean and actually safe enough to drink.”

Dylan Fraser Rae, 11, added: “It’s such a great step to the future.”

The youngsters were shown around the bus and given a presentation on hydrogen fuel to promote positive learning about the environment ahead of COP26. Glasgow Times:

Headteacher John Anderson explained: “We are starting work on Monday for COP26, and this is the catalyst for the project.

"We are trying to focus on the hope for the future, as there are a lot of negative narratives surrounding environmental issues and it can be disempowering. We’re trying to show pupils is that there are a lot of innovative solutions out there. 

The hydrogen bus is perfect because it’s technology that they can understand. They know water is not going to damage their local environment or contribute negatively to climate change. This then helps us to focus on teaching about COP26 through our subjects.”

Hydrogen Roadshow is a partnership between bus manufacturer Wrightbus, hydrogen distribution firm Ryze Hydrogen, and hydrogen production company INEOS. 

Tom Greenshields, Head of Business Development at Wrightbus, said: “It looks and feels no different to a regular bus. You would not know sitting on it that it’s running on hydrogen.”

The bus only takes five minutes longer to refuel than a regular diesel bus, and is equipped for city travel and longer journeys. 

They already have fleets of buses elsewhere in the UK, but this vehicle is the forerunner which allowed the technology to be developed.

It will soon travel to the hub of the climate summit in Glasgow where it will be displayed for world leaders and visitors to see the technology used and produced in the UK.