The biggest public transport company in Brussels, STIB, has ordered first electric buses to its fleet. Seven of the Solaris Urbino 8,9 LE will roll onto the streets of the city at the beginning of 2018.
According to the contract, which was signed by the Solaris Bus & Coach few days ago, the buses will be fitted with 160 kW central traction motor and electric drive of the Polish producer, Medcom. Almost tenmetres long vehicles will be equipped with 160 kWh batteries and plug-in charger.
The zero-emission buses from Bolechowo will operate on the new lane in the capital of Belgium – Citybus. STIB Company has decided to buy their first electric vehicles to test this innovative technology and to study economic and environmental benefits from their use. Solaris Bus & Coach signed a framework agreement with the Belgium operator for a delivery of seven buses with the possibility of extend this order.
“At the beginning of the year we have won a tender to deliver 208 hybrid buses to the Belgian operator SRWT TEC in Namur, Wallonia and now we are celebrating the moment of choosing as a bus supplier for another transport provider from this country, in Brussels. It is an extraordinary source of pride and joy that the Benelux region countries appreciate our company. We are very pleased with fact that our Solaris buses will operate in another European metropolis” – said Zbigniew Palenica, Deputy CEO of Solaris Bus & Coach.
The battery-powered Solaris vehicles will surely proudly present themselves on the streets of Brussels due to their metallic color and internal equipment (the PU leather seats and wood grain floor), which is very unusual in public transport. These environmental friendly buses will be equipped in several features enhancing the safety of the ride for the passengers and the driver, such as full monitoring system and anti-aggressive driver’s cabin. What is more, in order to deliver maximum comfort for the disabled passengers, the buses will have an extendable electric ramp offering off-the-curb access for wheelchairs.
Belgian transport operator, STIB, is interested in promoting e-mobility and is planning a great deployment of electric buses in the nearest future. According to the Pascal Smet, Belgian Minister of Transport, the city’s target assumes 100 percent of the fleet will be electrically-powered before the 2030.
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
