Representatives of Solaris Bus & Coach S.A. have just signed a contract for the supply of 3 electric buses to Włocławek. Consequently, Włocławek will join Polish municipalities whose fleets comprise zero-emission public transport vehicles. The contract is to be performed by the end of this year. The order is worth nearly PLN 8.5 million.
The Solaris Urbino 12 electric buses commissioned by the Włocławek City Hall will be the first public transport vehicles with electric drivelines in this city. Environment-friendly travel is possible thanks to Solaris High Energy batteries with a capacity of 200 kWh and an axle with integrated electric motors boasting a power of 2x125 kW. Apart from the vehicles themselves the producer is also due to deliver four stand-alone charging stations for bus depots. The buses will be adapted to plug-in battery charging. Moreover, their construction will allow for the assembly of pantographs which may serve as another charging mode in the future.
The twelve-metre Urbino electrics will be fully air-conditioned. The awarding authority has also chosen a hybrid heating system for the vehicle, involving thermal pre-conditioning, as such heating will help reduce energy usage in the challenging autumn-winter season, which, in turn, will enable the bus to cover a longer distance on a single charging session. The three Urbino 12 electric buses are to roll out on the streets of Włocławek in October 2019.
More and more e-buses on Polish roads
The recently signed contract for the delivery of 3 electric buses of Solaris to Włocławek serves as confirmation of the increasing interest in ecological public transport on the domestic market. Włocławek is the eighteenth city in Poland to decide in favour of emission-free vehicles of the vehicle manufacturer from Bolechowo; in some of these cities, electric vehicles constitute a significant percentage of the whole public transport fleet (e.g. 40% in Jaworzno). The number of Urbino electric buses ordered in Poland has reached nearly 150 so far.
The turn towards environmentally friendly municipal transport is a noticeable trend across Europe and the undeniable advantages of electric buses, such as low-noise, smooth driving and the lack of pollutant exhaust emissions, constitute a strong incentive for municipal authorities and city transport operators alike. According to predictions by UITP, in 2030, buses with electric drivelines will make up nearly 50% of all orders.