Hydrogen-Powered Solaris Buses Conquer Europe
18-meter hydrogen-powered buses from Solaris will soon hit the streets of Belfort, France. This is yet another city in Western Europe that has opted for buses with hydrogen fuel cells from this manufacturer.
18-meter articulated buses on the streets of a French city
Eight articulated hydrogen buses will be delivered to the city of Belfort. The 18-meter vehicles will be equipped with a state-of-the-art hydrogen system which, combined with a modular drive, guarantees optimal driving parameters. The Urbino 18 hydrogen will be delivered to the customer in the second half of 2025.
In the first half of July, Solaris signed a contract to supply eight hydrogen buses to the city of Belfort. The vehicles were purchased by the public entity SMTC (Le Syndicat Mixte des Transports en Commun du Territoire de Belfort), which associates transport operators in the region. The final entity using the new hydrogen buses will be the carrier Régie des Transports du Territoire de Belfort (RTTB) managing mobility, including bus transport, in Belfort.
“We are extremely proud to be able to cooperate with SMTC in Belfort and deliver technologically advanced, zero-emission hydrogen buses to the city. The Urbino 18 hydrogen is not only an innovative means of transport but also a step towards a sustainable future. Thanks to the new Solaris buses, Belfort residents will be able to enjoy cleaner air and modern, reliable public transport,” said Brice Bonavia, Managing Director of Solaris France.
Characteristics of the ordered buses
The buses ordered by Belfort will be equipped with a modern hydrogen system, which includes a 100 kW hydrogen cell and a system of composite tanks that allow storing over 50 kg of hydrogen at a pressure of 350 bar. Solaris High Power batteries will support the fuel cell at times of greatest demand for electrical energy. The heart of the drive will be a 240 kW electric motor. The buses will also be equipped with a modular drive, which, by dispersing the components, allows for better use of space on the roof and increases passenger space.
In accordance with the latest regulations, the buses will be equipped with GSR2 functionalities, including a system informing about the presence of road users in the so-called blind spot. The ordered Urbino hydrogen will have high-performance air conditioning with a heat pump heating function. Additionally, the buses will be equipped with the eSConnect fleet monitoring and remote management system.
This is the third order in recent months for so-called “hydrogen buses” from the French market – alongside 4 vehicles for Artois Mobilités and 22 buses for Île-de-France Mobilités. The use of hydrogen technology in public transport is gaining increasing popularity, and Solaris is a clear leader in this regard – in 2023, the manufacturer had almost 50% share in this part of the market. Over 220 Urbino hydrogen models are already serving passenger traffic in 25 cities across Europe.
