Solaris pushes hydrogen buses in the Czech Republic

Up to 20 Solaris Urbino 12 hydrogen buses can be ordered by the Czech transport operator Dopravni podnik mesta Ústí nad Labem in the Czech city of Ústí nad Labem over the next eight years – this is stipulated in the framework agreement that the Polish bus manufacturer Solaris has signed with the Czech transport company.

According to the contract, the hydrogen buses are to be delivered within 420 days from the signing of the respective purchase contract. According to Solaris, this is the first contract for hydrogen buses in the Czech Republic, but by no means the first cooperation with the Czech city. 44 Solaris buses with different drive types are already in service in local public transport.

"Over the years, we have already delivered over 1200 vehicles with various drive types to the Czech Republic: Diesel, CNG, and trolleybuses. The latest contract for the delivery of up to 20 hydrogen buses is absolutely groundbreaking. I would like to sincerely congratulate the operator Dopravni podnik mesta Ústí nad Labem on their significant investment. Considering the development of hydrogen technology and the growing interest from operators, our company feels increasingly confident every day that we are on the right path to promote the decarbonization of public transport," said Petros Spinaris, member of the board of Solaris for Sales and After Sales.

Details

The hydrogen-powered Urbino 12 hydrogen buses are equipped with two integrated electric motors with a power output of 125 kW each, state-of-the-art fuel cell modules with a power output of 70 kW, and five composite hydrogen tanks with a total capacity of 1,560 liters. Solaris specifies the range with a full tank as at least 350 km. According to the Polish bus manufacturer, the hydrogen buses are also equipped with a “relatively small Solaris High Power battery to support the fuel cell during peak electricity demands.”

To increase safety, the Solaris Urbino 12 hydrogen buses are equipped with a tire pressure and temperature monitoring system. On board the hydrogen buses, there is also a system for visually impaired passengers, a passenger counting system, and USB charging sockets at each seat row. An air-conditioning system with a CO2 heat pump completes the equipment.

According to Solaris, the company has so far concluded contracts and framework agreements with corporate clients from Austria, France, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Sweden, and Italy, and to date, has delivered almost 100 Urbino 12 hydrogen buses.