Solaris is the winner in the Smart City 2020 Competition

The winners of the Smart City Contest were selected during the eleventh edition of the Smart City Forum held online this year. Nominated for its innovative solutions regarding e-mobility for zero-emission transport Solaris Bus & Coach S.A. was awarded in the category Smart solutions.

The competition covers five categories, including the category “Smart solutions” in which suppliers of already implemented “smart city” solutions which have stood the test of an urban surrounding and have since been facilitating the operation of urban transport every day, but also helping to save time, energy or funds and having a beneficial effect on the environment competed for the main award (…)”. Offering an exceedingly wide range of e-mobility solutions, Solaris was among the nominees.

Named winner in the Smart City competition, the automotive manufacturer from the Greater Poland province is the ideal partner for transitioning towards zero emission public transport. By using innovative solutions and modern engineering concepts the company really contributes to the reduction of emissions in public transport. In order to foster the large-scale transition to zero-emission vehicles in public transport, it is necessary to provide a well-organized maintenance service of vehicles. In this respect Solaris offers a very special solution which has merited the appreciation of the jury: the eSConnect is an in-house system for the monitoring and management of a bus fleet. It ensures constant access to current vehicle records and thus allows for the efficient and rational management of an emission-free vehicle fleet, for better operability of buses and their optimal use.

The choice of the winner was made by an independent Contest Board, consisting of renowned authorities of the sector. The competition itself is supposed to disseminate the idea of building smart cities in Poland. The distinctions are given out to representatives of business and of local governments who, by implementing innovative projects, contribute to the growth of the competitiveness of Polish cities and of the economy as such.

The electric buses of Solaris are emission-free, incredibly quiet and modern vehicles which can be adjusted to the needs of public transport operators. Depending on the climate, the traffic on a particular route or even the topography, the electric Urbinos are produced in accordance to the adapted specification. Customers may choose from an array of options regarding length, equipment, battery type and even charging method. The comfort of passengers is ensured by a wide array of accessories, whereas solutions such as surveillance systems, low-entry floors and smart driver assistance systems all raise transport security.

The first Solaris Urbino electric rolled out onto Polish roads in 2015. Today, 155 electric Solaris buses carry passengers across 20 cities in Poland. Worth mentioning is that the nominees in other Smart City categories included cities with whom Solaris has had the benefit of cooperating for many years now. At the same time, more and more operators join the list of clients who prioritise environmental care and who choose environmentally friendly solutions for their conurbations.