Poland: Bialystok orders 30 electric buses from Yutong

The Polish city of Bialystok has ordered 30 U12 electric buses from local Yutong dealer Busnex. The contract also includes 25 depot charging stations and three mobile chargers. However, this is not the city’s first order. Since 2023, 20 Yutong E12 buses have been in service there.

Yutong U12 in Szczecin, Poland
Image: Busnex

“This is already the second major contract signed with the city of Bialystok. The first agreement, signed in September 2022, covered the delivery of 20 zero-emission Yutong E12 buses. Delivered in the second half of 2023, these buses have been successfully operating on Bialystok’s public transport routes,” said Marcin Kucharski, CEO of Busnex Poland, regarding the renewed order for electric buses from the Chinese manufacturer.

This time, the city has opted for 30 units of the U12 model in the fully low-floor LF version, which features three doors and space for up to 95 passengers. Alternatively, the manufacturer offers a LE (Low Entrance) version with two doors and a maximum capacity of 85 passengers.

The variants also differ in terms of LFP battery capacity: while the U12 LF can be equipped with up to 528 kWh, the U12 LE offers up to 465 kWh. Both versions are expected to deliver a range of up to 600 kilometres. The city has not specified its chosen configuration, only stating that the e-buses should be able to travel over 400 kilometres on a single charge.

Under the contract, Bialystok will also receive 25 depot charging stations and three mobile chargers, which will be distributed across three depots. However, no details have been provided regarding the allocation of charging infrastructure or the specific technologies used.

It also remains unclear when the electric buses will arrive in the city. No information has yet been shared regarding the investment amount or the agreement concluded between Bialystok and the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan.

Bialystok is not the only city that has relied on Yutong electric buses for several years and has now chosen the Chinese manufacturer again. The city of Lomza integrated its first two E12 units into the fleet in 2022. The fleet has since grown to eight vehicles. In March this year, Lomza ordered four additional E12s and further E9 electric buses. Just over two months ago, the city of Jelenia Gora ordered five U12 buses to join its 20 Yutong E12s already in service since 2023. According to Kucharski, Busnex has now secured contracts for 253 electric buses, of which 138 have been delivered and are in regular operation.

bstok.pl, elektromobilni.pl (both in Polish)