Solaris Bus & Coach and Paris City Transport (Régie autonome des transports Parisiens, RATP) have signed a contract for the delivery of a Urbino 12 electric bus. The Solaris battery bus in its latest design is to be tested on Parisian streets for a number of months. The project is closely linked to RATP’s project to make its whole fleet emission-free by 2025.
Solaris Bus & Coach and Paris City Transport (Régie autonome des transports Parisiens, RATP) have signed a contract for the delivery of a Urbino 12 electric bus. The Solaris battery bus in its latest design is to be tested on Parisian streets for a number of months. The project is closely linked to RATP’s project to make its whole fleet emission-free by 2025.
The agreement between Solaris and RATP stipulates that the new Urbino 12 electric will be presented to the general public at the COP21 United Nations Climate Change conference which will be held between 30th November and 11th December in Paris. Afterwards the innovative, eco-friendly and remarkably quiet bus will run in regular passenger’s service on lines 21 and 147 in the French metropolis.
The Parisian operator’s objective, supported by Greater Paris transport authority STIF, is to give up traditionally diesel powered engines and make the whole city fleet zero-emission by 2025. The new Solaris Urbino electric bus is an interesting proposal for RATP and may be helpful in achieving its goal.
“We are much satisfied with the possibility to test the Solaris battery bus and the new technology it is fitted with. The experience gained during test drives will help us to consolidate our plans within our Bus 2025 programme,” said Marie-Claude Dupuis, Director of the Bus Department in RATP.
“The cooperation with RATP, including the test rides of the new Urbino 12 electric, is undoubtedly a challenge. Our new battery bus will show its best side on the Parisian streets. The new Urbino is a vehicle fitted with plenty of innovative developments such as a third generation electric axle and a new, lighter bodyframe. Its pleasant and comfortable interior, not to mention its extraordinary design, will surely make a good impression,” stated Dr. Andreas Strecker, CEO of Solaris Bus & Coach.
The Solaris electric bus designed for Paris is based on the new Urbino construction which celebrated its world premiere in Hannover at IAA exhibition in September 2014. It is a completely new engineering design. Despite being lighter, it is more robust while being made from the same noncorrosive materials as before. The vehicle will be equipped with a 240 kWh battery and a plug-in charging system. Solaris will provide the operator with external charging station with a power of 80 kW.
A further innovative solution is the use of the newest ZF AVE 130 drive axle, in which two independent electric motors are mounted close to the wheels. It brings down overall weight even further and at the same time increases the space inside the bus that can be configured freely. Along with the Medcom traction equipment, the axle ensures an exquisitely quiet drive as well as smooth acceleration and braking. All these features make the new Urbino perfect choice for urban environments, even with a high number of passengers on board.
There will be 30 seats in the bus, including 16 pedestal-free seats. Energy-efficient LED lighting is to be used both inside the bus as well as for all exterior lamps. Drivers will find an ergonomic cab, with a higher seating position that improves interaction with boarding passengers. Excellent visibility is ensured by the widescreen, which is much bigger in comparison to previous Urbinos. The drivers’ cab is more ergonomic thanks to the modern, intuitive touch-screen dashboard, now available across Solaris’s range of buses and trams.
So far Solaris zero-emission buses are carrying passengers in Germany (Braunschweig, Hamburg, Dresden and Düsseldorf), Poland (Warsaw, Jaworzno, Ostrołęka) and Sweden (Västerås). Soon Solaris battery buses will run in the streets of Barcelona. With their growing presence, quiet and clean Urbino electric buses are substantially improving the standard of living in European cities.
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 12 000 vehicles have already left the factory in Bolechowo near Poznań. They are running in 29 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
