Réunion chooses Solaris Hybrid Bus

Six new Solaris buses offer a state-of-the-art boost to the transport fleet of the French island Réunion. One of them is a climate-friendly Urbino 12 Hybrid with Eaton parallel hybrid drive. This diesel-electric hybrid saves up

to 33% fuel.

The latest operating area for the eco-friendly Solaris Urbino 12 Hybrid is a tropical one: Réunion island in the Indian Ocean. International transport group Transdev runs the diesel-electric hybrid bus and five conventional diesel-fuelled Urbino 12 in the island’s capital, Saint-Denis.

The Solaris Urbino 12 Hybrid uses a parallel hybrid system supplied by Eaton. A 44 kW electric engine works in conjunction with a Cummins diesel engine meeting the EEV emissions standard. Power is transmitted through a six-speed automated gearbox contained in the Hybrid Drive Unit. Energy recuperated during braking is stored on-board in lithium-ion batteries and is used for subsequent acceleration. Tests according to the UITP-defined SORT cycles have confirmed a reduction in fuel consumption between 18.9% and 33.3%, depending on operating conditions.

For service in Réunion, Solaris has fitted the buses with powerful air-conditioning units suited to the island’s tropical climate. Réunion is located in the Indian Ocean, 800 km east of Madagascar. As an overseas department, Réunion is an integral part of France and the European Union. Buses in the island‘s capital, Saint-Denis, are operated by Transdev under the Citalis brand. Transdev already runs eco-friendly Solaris hybrid buses in Strasbourg and Greater Paris.

For Solaris, the buses for Réunion are the second order from outside the European continent. Since 2008, 225 Solaris buses have been running in Dubai, where they have proven themselves in high temperatures and dry climate.