Solaris receives first electric bus order from the US
Specifically, King County Metro, which provides public transport services in Seattle and 34 other cities in the state of Washington, has ordered two 40-foot (12-metre) battery-electric solo buses and two 60-foot (18-metre) battery-electric articulated buses. The agreement also includes an option for 12 additional units, Solaris specifies.
The buses are specific to the North American market and are based on a platform Solaris developed for the latter. “This platform will feature the most progressive battery bus technology developed by Solaris in its 15 years of experience in battery buses, including advanced electrical propulsion systems, Solaris’ proprietary battery integration technology and state-of-the-art connectivity features, service proven in the European market,” the manufacturer emphasises in its press release. However, it is not more specific.
In Europe, the Urbino 12 electric has a battery with a total energy content of up to 600 kWh – said to be enough for up to 600 kilometres on one charge. It is offered with a 200 kW or 160 kW asynchronous motor or a ZF electric portal axle with 2 x 125 kW. The Urbino 18 electric has an energy content of up to 800 kWh and an output of up to 240 kW. Again, it is not clear whether these figures also apply to the US version.
“This agreement is an incredibly important achievement and a milestone in the history of Solaris. This is another step towards the realization of our strategic goals, and of our vision to make Solaris the supplier of choice in North America for zero emission buses,” said Javier Iriarte, CEO of Solaris Bus & Coach. “In Europe, the Solaris brand is widely recognized for the quality and superior performance of its zero emission vehicles. We aim to bring the same service proven technology to the U.S. transit authorities. Our commitment is to support the transition to zero-emission transportation in cities across Europe and North America by developing and delivering the most reliable and innovative products. This contract marks significant progress for the bus industry in North America and has the potential to be a game-changer for the region over the coming decade.”
“At Metro, we are deeply committed to building a sustainable future through innovation and collaboration,” said King County Metro General Manager Michelle Allison. “Our goal is to create a zero-emission fleet that not only enhances our communities but also leads the way in environmental responsibility. Metro’s partnership with electric and hydrogen bus manufacturer Solaris will help overcome the bus manufacturing shortage and potentially provide more options for other transit agencies in North America, too.”
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