At the beginning of September, the public transport operator Regionalverkehr Köln GmbH (RVK) introduced the first articulated Solaris hydrogen buses into city traffic. The delivered buses are part of an order placed in September last year for 18 of these advanced technological vehicles.
In recent days, eight Solaris Urbino 18 hydrogen buses have joined the fleet of Regionalverkehr Köln GmbH (RVK) in Cologne which already includes 46 Solaris hydrogen buses operating. This time, they are 18-meter-long articulated buses. The hydrogen fleet of the German carrier RVK is already impressive, and there are still more deliveries to come. Solaris is currently fulfilling an order for 20 additional hydrogen buses, placed in March this year: nine 12-meter and eleven 18-meter buses. Upon completion of all deliveries, RVK will have a fleet of 84 hydrogen-powered Solaris buses, the largest in Europe.
The articulated hydrogen buses delivered to RVK in early September are equipped with a 100 kW fuel cell system. The Urbino 18 hydrogen can be refuelled with over 50 kilograms of gaseous hydrogen, stored in eight tanks located on the roof. The buses feature a modular drive system that eliminates the need for a traditional engine compartment, allowing for increased passenger capacity.
The vehicles from the latest order stand out with the most advanced solutions available in terms of equipment. The buses feature a high-efficiency air conditioning system with heat pump functionality, an advanced monitoring and passenger information system, as well as numerous systems supporting the driver's work.
Key advantages of hydrogen buses include zero-emission operation, high passenger capacity, long range on a single refuelling, and short refuelling process. These are crucial parameters for operators like RVK, who serve areas connecting rural regions with cities and transport large numbers of commuters to work every day.
RVK has been implementing its hydrogen strategy for years, with Solaris as a proud partner in this transformation. The manufacturer is a leader in introducing hydrogen technology in public transport. Over 40 customers from 10 European countries have signed contracts for over 700 Solaris Urbino hydrogen buses, with nearly 250 already serving passengers in 25 cities across Europe. The company also provides expert support for the after-sales service and maintenance of hydrogen vehicles.
Information Solaris
Solaris Bus & Coach sp. z o.o. is a leading producer of city and intercity buses in Europe. It focuses in particular on the development of low-emission and zero-emission vehicles, i. e. electric and hydrogen buses as well as trolleybuses. Over 25,000 Solaris vehicles have been delivered so far and they ply the streets in 850 towns and cities across 33 countries located throughout Europe as well as beyond it. Solaris is part of the Spanish CAF Group (Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles) S.A. From conception, to the design and manufacturing phases, all Solaris buses are produced in Poland. All activities undertaken by the company are in line with it’s mission, which is reflected in the brand’s promise: to change the image of public transport. Solaris also actively partners with public transport operators and provides them with comprehensive support in their transition to zero-emission mobility. Solaris products have been repeatedly awarded for quality and innovation. The Urbino 18 hydrogen bus has won the prestigious 'Bus of the Year 2025' title.
Additional information
Mateusz Figaszewski
Institutional Partnerships and External Relations Director
mateusz.figaszewski@solarisbus.com
