To provide its latest electric buses with energy, Solaris is applying hydrogen fuel cells for the first time. So far no one in the Polish automotive industry has used this ultra-modern technology. The first of two Urbino 18.75 electric had its world premiere in Hamburg, Germany on 18th December 2014.
Designed for operator Hochbahn, these innovative Solaris buses are equipped with 120 kWh batteries as the main energy provider to the drive system. They will be charged by Ballard 101 kW fuel cells during operation. A novelty is that the fuel cells are used only when 100% of output is required, which significantly increases their durability. The bus will be fuelled with hydrogen at night in the depot. Battery charging cycles will be preprogrammed so it will be ready to cover 300 km per day.
The very first Solaris Urbino electric with fuel cell range extender celebrated its premiere on 18th December 2014, during the official opening of the Innovation Line 109 at Hamburg’s newly build electric bus terminal. Among the distinguished guests were Mayor of Hamburg Olaf Scholz, Rainer Bomba (State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development) and CEO of Hochbahn, Günter Elste. Many other high-ranking figures of politics and other stakeholders gathered in Hamburg.
“Solaris’s 15-year experience in electric mobility – building trolleybuses, electric and hybrid buses – formed a good foundation to the development of this innovative bus. We are glad to have the opportunity to support Hochbahn and the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg in meeting its ambitious climate targets. Due to its length of 18.75 metres, this Solaris Urbino electric creates a future in which emission-free buses are able to operate even on the most heavily used lines,” said Deputy CEO of Solaris Bus & Coach, Dr Dariusz Michalak at the official presentation.
The buses thus support Hochbahn’s key objective of only buying zero-emission buses from 2020 onwards. The arrival of new Solaris electric buses is a further step towards achieving this goal. Experience gained on Innovation Line 109 will help to answer which zero-emission technology is the best solution in real urban traffic and therefore will set standards for buses of the future not only in Hamburg, but across Europe.
Hochbahn CEO Günter Else describes the endeavour: “Innovation Line 109 is a 10-kilometre route that leads through the city centre. It could become an excellent test site to verify which types of alternative-energy drives work best in the same, challenging conditions. All advanced buses will be concentrated on this very line to make the project visible and recognizable to the people of Hamburg. That decision was made to demonstrate what we want and what we can achieve – to improve the quality of life in the city.”
The Solaris Urbino 18.75 electric with fuel cell range extender has great potential to make a difference in urban public transport. The vehicle is eminently suited to play that role. Its innovative technology has already been appreciated in Germany. The articulated battery bus was recently awarded the International busplaner Sustainability Prize 2015. The jury chooses the winners based on their direct impact on making city transport greener. Not only the final product is significant, but also the production process.
The new electric bus for Hamburg is the most technologically advanced Solaris product so far. With the Urbino 18.75 electric with fuel cells, Solaris adds a new innovative solution to its range of battery charging options. Plug-in, inductive and pantograph charging now are accompanied by fuel cells as range extenders.
Other versions of the Urbino electric have been present in Germany since March this year.
Apart from Hamburg, these eco-friendly buses have so far been purchased by Berlin, Braunschweig, Dresden, Düsseldorf, Hannover and Oberhausen.
About Solaris Bus & Coach
Solaris Bus & Coach is a major European producer of city, intercity and special-purpose buses as well as low-floor trams. Since the start of production in 1996, over 11 000 vehicles have already left the factory in Bolechowo near Poznań. They are running in 28 countries. Despite its young age, Solaris has become one of the trendsetting companies in its industry. For many years it has been the indisputable leader among the suppliers of city buses in Poland as well as one of the largest suppliers of city buses in Germany.
For media enquiry, please contact:
Mateusz Figaszewski
Deputy Director
mateusz.figaszewski@solarisbus.com
Mobile: +48 601 652 179
Information Solaris
Solaris Bus & Coach sp. z o.o. is one of the leading producers of city and intercity buses in Europe. It focuses in particular on the development of zero-emission vehicles, i. e. electric and hydrogen buses as well as trolleybuses. This has resulted in the widest zero-emission product range in the European market and a leading position in this segment with a market share of 15.2%. Nearly 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. Moreover, all activities undertaken by the manufacturer are in line with the brand’s mission, which is reflected in the motto “We are changing 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.
Additional information
Mateusz Figaszewski
E-mobility Development & Market Intelligence Director
mateusz.figaszewski@solarisbus.com
