Solaris on the shortlist of suppliers to provide zero-emission buses to France

Solaris Bus & Coach has been selected as a potential supplier of electric buses and trolleybuses to France. The Union of Public Purchasing Groups (UGAP) has selected two specific models from the manufacturer’s zero-emission portfolio: the Trollino 18 and Urbino 18 electric. Both models will henceforth be available to carriers without an additional tendering process. The vehicles have been included in the French purchasing group’s catalogue for 24 months, with the possibility of extending the contract.

In the second half of March, a framework agreement was signed as part of a tender for “Electric-powered public transport vehicles such as minibuses, buses and mini-cars for procurement, variants and implementation of additional services”, announced by UGAP (L’Union des groupements d'achats publics, i.e. the Union of Public Purchasing Groups). The tender selected manufacturers that offer vehicles in eight different categories. For articulated vehicles with electric motors, with a length of 17-19 metres, 10 bids were received, out of which four business partners were selected. Solaris Bus & Coach was identified as a possible supplier of two zero-emission models: the Trollino 18 and the Urbino 18 electric. The criteria for evaluating the submitted bids were price, technical value, cost of use, quality of service, and execution of the product in terms of respecting sustainability.

”We are proud to have been awarded UGAP credentials. We are very pleased to be able to offer two models from our extensive portfolio of zero-emission vehicles: the Trollino 18 articulated trolleybus and the Urbino 18 electric articulated bus. France is one of those markets where our company particularly wishes to boost sales activities in the coming years. We therefore appreciate all the more the opportunity to offer our excellent, state-of-the-art products directly,” said Olivier Michard, Board Member for Sales, After Sales and Marketing.

Solaris is one of the leading manufacturers of zero-emission public transportation vehicles. The producer has been developing eco-friendly solutions for almost two decades, focusing primarily on electric drives and innovative e-mobility solutions. Solaris has already delivered more than 1,800 electric buses and 2,000 trolleybuses of various lengths and configurations to carriers throughout Europe.

The Urbino 18 electric is one of Solaris’ most popular electric models. Its zero-emission and low-noise performance, coupled with its large passenger capacity, makes this model ideally suited to city centres. The Trollino 18, on the other hand, is a zero-emission, articulated trolleybus that has the ability to run without the overhead catenary thanks to the batteries on board.

L’Union des groupements d’achats publics (UGAP) is a French public institution and the central oversight body for public purchasing in the country. It is subject to dual supervision, by the minister in charge of the budget and the minister in charge of national education. UGAP provides public buyers with procurement counseling and offers a wide range of products and services selected in accordance with the Public Procurement Code.