Solaris has secured a new contract in the French market. The manufacturer will supply four 12-meter Urbino hydrogen buses to Artois Mobilités for TADAO transport network in northern France. The contract will be completed at the beginning of 2025.
Solaris Bus & Coach's offer was selected in a tender issued by public transport authority Artois Mobilités in collaboration with the Transdev Group and the French central procurement office for public transport CATP (Centrale d'Achat du Transport Public). The order comprises four Solaris Urbino 12 hydrogen. The buses will be delivered and integrated into the carrier's fleet at the beginning of 2025. The new order is in line with the strategic guidelines for the agglomeration's environmental transformation, particularly the decarbonization of public transportation.
"There are a number of arguments in favor of hydrogen. First of all, it is absolutely emission-free during operation. Additionally, there are significant advantages such as long ranges, a fast refueling process, flexibility in managing a fleet of hydrogen vehicles and a distinguishingly quiet ride. I congratulate Artois Mobilités on this decision and look forward to our cooperation," said Brice Bonavia, Director of Solaris France.
State-of-the-art fuel cells with a total power of 70 kW will be mounted on the roof of the Solaris Urbino 12 hydrogen. The buses will be equipped with Solaris High Power traction batteries, which support the fuel cell during peak electricity demand. The ordered Urbino hydrogen will feature high-efficiency air conditioning using a heat pump. The buses for Artois Mobilités will additionally be equipped with the eSConnect monitoring and remote fleet management system. In accordance with the latest regulations, the buses will comply with GSR2 standards, including a system that informs of the presence of road users in the vehicle’s blind spot.
The new contract strengthens Solaris' position as a leader in the European zero-emission vehicle market. In the hydrogen product segment, the manufacturer offers buses in two lengths, 12 and 18 meters. These state-of-the-art solutions for public transportation have already been implemented in 25 cities across Europe. More than 220 Solaris Urbino hydrogen buses carry passengers in cities such as Barcelona, Bratislava, Frankfurt, Madrid, Poznan and Venice. It is worth mentioning that the manufacturer is in the process of completing an order for 22 hydrogen buses for Île-de-France Mobilités.
Information Solaris
Solaris Bus & Coach sp. z o.o. is a leading producer of city and intercity buses in Europe. It focuses 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 its 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
