Szczytno opts for Solaris electric buses

Representatives of the city of Szczytno and of Solaris Bus & Coach S.A. have signed a contract for the supply of two electric buses Solaris Urbino 8,9 LE electric. The emission-free Urbinos will be supplied to the Masurian region within 12 months of signing the agreement. The total value of the contract covering electric buses, two charging stations and after-sale servicing amounts to over PLN 4 million (about EUR 1 million).

The Urbino electrics will be the first battery buses in the city of Szczytno located in the Masurian region. The contract for the delivery of two electric buses was signed on 30 June 2020. The residents of the city with a population of about 10,000 will be able to use the new buses from June 2021. A three-year warranty will be issued for the vehicles and a ten-year warranty for the batteries.

“We are proud that Solaris is going down in the history of public transport in Szczytno at this turning point. More and more municipal operators and decision makers, from both smaller and bigger cities, opt for modern and emission-free transport solutions. We seek to respond to the needs of each and every operator and Szczytno is an excellent example showcasing that not only large metropolises can stand for innovative technology while taking care of their residents and environment at the same time”, says Petros Spinaris, Vice-CEO of Solaris Bus & Coach S.A.

The driveline of the Urbino 8,9 LE electric will encompass a traction motor of 160 kW. The energy needed to drive the vehicle will be stored in Solaris High Power-batteries with a total nominal capacity of 200 kWh. The energy will be supplemented using a traditional plug-in system, designed for charging at night or during longer stopovers. Along with the buses, Solaris will also deliver charging infrastructure, i. e. two charging devices with a power of 40 kW each.

In line with the terms of the order, the low-floor vehicles will be able to carry up to 50 passengers, including 21 sitting on seats. The efficient exchange of passengers will be facilitated by a 1+2 door layout, with the second door including a wheelchair ramp. In line with the order placed by the city of Szczytno, the interior of the vehicles has been designed with the purpose to ensure a high level of safety and comfort. The bus equipment will include, among others: an enclosed driver cabin, an efficient air conditioning system of the whole vehicle interior, a comprehensive passenger information system, destination displays adapted to the needs of visually impaired passengers and a video surveillance system encompassing cameras monitoring the passenger compartment, a rear-view and a front-view camera. Moreover, the passengers will be able to recharge their mobile devices using dual USB ports placed in the passenger compartment.

Szczytno is yet another city in the Warmian-Masurian province that has opted for the expansion of its fleet by emission-free buses. Electric buses of Solaris are already running on the streets of the city of Ostróda. Solaris is one of the leading electric bus producers in Europe. At the moment, the portfolio of the Polish bus maker comprises nearly 1000 Urbino electric vehicles that roam the streets of 80 cities in 18 European countries.

The city of Szczytno decided to purchase battery buses in the framework of the project co-financed using EU-Funds: “Szczytno – a city with the sustainable public transport – phase II”.