Solaris bags contract for 20 hydrogen buses in Czech Republic

Urbino 12 hydrogen bus has two 125 kW electric motors each, packs of 70 kW fuel cells and five composite tanks for hydrogen storage; do 350km on a single refill.

Autocar Professional BureauBy Autocar Professional Bureau calendar 08 Dec 2021 Views icon4185 Views Share - Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to LinkedIn Share to Whatsapp
Solaris bags contract for 20 hydrogen buses in Czech Republic

The Czech carrier Dopravní podnik mesta Usti nad Labem has signed a framework agreement with Solaris Bus & Coach for the delivery of up to 20 hydrogen buses. This is Solaris’s first contract for hydrogen-fuelled buses in the Czech Republic.

The transport carrier in the city of Usti nad Labem and Solaris Bus & Coach have concluded a framework agreement for the purchase of zero-emission Urbino 12 hydrogen buses. It covers a period of 8 years and during this time the carrier may order up to 20 hydrogen buses.

Once the vehicles have been ordered, they are to be delivered within 420 days of the purchase contract being signed. This is the first contract for hydrogen buses in the Czech Republic. Usti nad Labem already has 44 Solaris buses with different types of propulsion systems deployed in public transport.

“Over the years, we have delivered over 1,200 vehicles with different drives –diesel, CNG vehicles and trolley buses, to the Czech Republic. The latest contract for the delivery of up to 20 hydrogen buses is absolutely groundbreaking. Looking at the rate of technological development and growing interest from operators, our company feels reassured every day that it is on the right track in fostering the decarbonisation of public transport,” said Petros Spinaris, Board Member of Solaris for Sales and After Sales.

The Urbino 12 hydrogen bus is the most technologically-advanced vehicle made by the manufacturer. They will be equipped with two 125 kW electric motors each, ultra-modern packs of 70 kW fuel cells and five composite tanks for hydrogen storage with a total capacity of 1560 l. Thanks to the technology applied in them, they will be capable of covering at least 350 km on a single refill. They will also feature a relatively small Solaris High Power traction battery whose role is to support the fuel cell in moments of increased demand for electric power.

In order to enhance passengers’ safety, the vehicles will boast a tyre pressure and temperature monitoring system. Moreover, the Urbino 12 hydrogen buses destined for the city of Usti nad Labem will feature a passenger counting system, a system for visually impaired passengers, as well as USB charging sockets for each row of seats. They will also be equipped with air conditioning that uses a CO2 heat pump.

At present, Solaris has signed contracts for, and delivered, almost 100 Urbino 12 hydrogen buses to its clients. It has concluded contracts and framework agreements with carriers from Austria, France, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Sweden and Italy. This group of countries has now been joined by the Czech Republic.

 

RELATED ARTICLES
Continental celebrates 120th anniversary of first tyre with tread pattern

auther Autocar Professional Bureau calendar18 May 2025

World’s first tyre with a tread pattern featured simple hand-carved structure of circumferential grooves. Today, 120 yea...

BYD commits to new European HQ and R&D base in Hungary

auther Autocar Professional Bureau calendar18 May 2025

In line with its localisation policy in Europe, the world’s No. 1 EV maker is to set up its new HQ in Budapest. This mar...

Trump slashes import tariff for UK-made vehicles to 10%

auther Autocar Professional Bureau calendar09 May 2025

Tax applies to first 100,000 cars exported from UK to US; reduced from a previously announced 25% rate.