Cracow City Transport (MPK Kraków) sets priority on the development of zero-emission public transport. Today, representatives of MPK as well as Solaris Bus & Coach signed a contract for delivery of battery-powered buses. Under the agreement, four completely emission-free and exceptionally quiet Solaris Urbino electric will be handed over by the Polish manufacturer to the capital of Lesser Poland region.
Although several manufacturers competed to win the almost €2 million order, it was Solaris’s offer which turned out to be the best. According to the agreement, the Polish company will deliver four Solaris Urbino 8,9 LE electric to Cracow before the end of July 2016 at the latest.
These exquisitely quiet and clean buses will be fitted with 80 kWh batteries. They can be topped up in two ways: through a traditional 20 kW plug-in connection located at the depot and by an innovative pantograph quick charging system. For this, a special charging station installed at Pawia Street will use energy from a tram traction power supply.
The four electric buses in colors of Cracow City Transport are to start running in regular passenger service in July next year. The line which will be operated by zero-emission vehicles leads to the very city center.
”The decision to purchase battery-powered buses is based on our care about the natural environment and clean air. Furthermore, we very much wish to provide passengers travelling with Cracow City Transport with the highest comfort,” emphasizes Rafał Świerczyński, CEO of MPK Kraków.
”It seems that the process of investments in low-carbon energy fleets by public transportation companies becomes unstoppable in modern metropolises. I believe that Cracow passengers in particular will appreciate the fact that the buses are completely emission-free and very quiet. This kind of vehicles will become increasingly popular within the forthcoming years, especially in the city centres,” said Wiesław Cieśla, Proxy for the CEO of Solaris Bus & Coach, who was present at the signing of the agreement.
Solaris began manufacturing electric buses in 2011. Until now, these environmentally friendly vehicles run in various European countries, including Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, Spain and Sweden. Such European cities as Warsaw, Berlin and Dresden already have electric buses in their fleet. Soon the ranks of them will be bolstered by Cracow.
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
