Solaris Urbino 12 hydrogen

Last updated
Solaris Urbino 12 hydrogen
Solaris Urbino 12 hydrogen 2.jpg
Prototype Urbino 12 hydrogen
Overview
Manufacturer Solaris Bus & Coach
Production2020–present
Assembly Flag of Poland.svg Bolechowo-Osiedle
Body and chassis
Body style Low-floor transit bus MAXI class
Doors2 or 3
Powertrain
Engine Electric motor integrated in the rear axle ZF AVE110
Dimensions
Wheelbase 590 mm (23 in)
Length12,000 mm (470 in)
Width2,550 mm (100 in)
Height3,300 mm (130 in)

The Solaris Urbino 12 hydrogen is a low-floor bus in the urban MAXI class from the Solaris Urbino family, manufactured by Solaris Bus & Coach. It is powered by electricity generated from hydrogen fuel cells. Unveiled in 2019, it builds on the Solaris Urbino 12 and its electric variant, the Solaris Urbino 12 electric.

Contents

History

Background

Solaris Bus & Coach began producing city buses under its own brand in 1999, launching the Solaris Urbino family. In 2001, it introduced its first electric-powered vehicle, the trolleybus Solaris Trollino 12. In 2004, Solaris unveiled a low-emission bus powered by CNG, followed in 2006 by the world's first serially produced hybrid city bus, the Solaris Urbino 18 Hybrid. Hybrid buses in the MAXI class were later added to the lineup. [1] In 2011, Solaris presented the fully electric MIDI-class urban bus Solaris Urbino 8,9 LE electric, followed by 12-meter and 18-meter electric buses in 2013 and 2014, respectively. The Solaris Urbino 12 electric became the first electric bus to win the Bus & Coach of the Year title in 2017. [1] By 2018, Solaris was Europe's second-largest electric bus manufacturer, holding a 14% market share. [2]

The first Solaris urban bus using electricity from hydrogen fuel cells was delivered in 2014 under a contract for two Urbino 18,75 electric buses for Hochbahn Hamburg. This technology enabled a daily range of up to 300 km, unachievable by battery-only electric buses without midday recharging. [3] In 2018, Solaris supplied trolleybuses, Trollino 18,75, to Riga's municipal operator. Equipped with fuel cells, these vehicles could travel up to 100 km without overhead lines, emitting no exhaust and eliminating the need for bulky energy storage batteries. [4] [5]

Urbino 12 hydrogen

In June 2018, Solaris announced plans to unveil the hydrogen-powered Solaris Urbino 12 hydrogen in 2019. [6] Before its debut, the Urbino 12 hydrogen received the Concept Vehicle award from the German magazine Busplaner. [7] In April 2019, the bus was pre-released for testing at the depot in Piła. [8] In May 2019, Solaris secured its first order for 10 Urbino 12 hydrogen buses, with an option for two more, for Bolzano, Italy, to be delivered in 2020. [9] [10] The bus officially premiered in June 2019 at the International Association of Public Transport exhibition in Stockholm, [10] with plans announced for a 10-week trial by RATP Group in Paris. [11] The Paris trials took place in 2020. [12] In August 2019, the prototype bus underwent its first passenger trials with Postbus in Graz, Austria. [13] In 2021, RVK in Köln, Germany, became the first operator to receive Solaris Urbino 12 hydrogen buses. [14]

In 2022, Solaris introduced a second hydrogen-powered model, the Urbino 18 hydrogen. [15]

Design and technical specifications

Solaris Urbino 18,75 electric in Hamburg Batteriebus hochbahn hamburg.jpg
Solaris Urbino 18,75 electric in Hamburg
Prototype Urbino 12 hydrogen Solaris Urbino 12 hydrogen 1.jpg
Prototype Urbino 12 hydrogen
Technical specifications of Solaris Urbino 12 hydrogen (as of 2019) [16]
Dimensions and basic data
Length12,000 mm
Width2,550 mm
Height3,300 mm
Front/rear overhang2,700 mm / 3,400 mm
Wheelbase5,900 mm
Approach/departure angle 7° / 7°
Entry height above ground350 mm
Drivetrain
Fuel cell60 kW fuel cell
Electric motorAsynchronous motor in ZF AVE110 axle (2 × 110 kW)
Hydrogen tanksFive 312 L composite tanks on the roof
Traction batteriesLithium-ion "Solaris High Power" (29.2 kWh), with plug-in charging
Chassis and running gear
Front axleZF independent or rigid (optional)
Rear (drive) axleZF with electric motors
Lubrication systemCentral lubrication point for solid or semi-fluid grease (optional)
Steering systemZF Servocom
BrakesEBS, ABS, ASR, handbrake, bus stop brake; ESC optional
Body and interior
Frame Stainless steel
Door layout1-2-2
2-2-2
1-2-0
2-2-0
Door width1,250 mm
Seating capacityUp to 37+1
Electrical systemBased on CAN bus

Drivetrain

The Solaris Urbino 12 hydrogen is a zero-emission vehicle. Hydrogen, the primary power source, is stored in composite tanks above the front axle, holding up to 37.5 kg. The hydrogen feeds a 60 kW fuel cell, where the reaction of hydrogen with oxygen generates electricity stored in 29.2 kWh lithium-ion "Solaris High Power" batteries. [6] [14] [16] [17] The batteries can also be charged via a plug-in connector. The batteries supply electricity to the motors, supporting the fuel cell during peak power demands. The vehicle is powered by a ZF electric drive axle with 2 × 110 kW output. [10] [16] This configuration allows the Urbino 12 hydrogen to travel up to 350 km on a single refueling, consuming approximately 9 kg of hydrogen per 100 km, a range unattainable by battery-only buses without midday charging. [6] [17] The only byproducts of the fuel cell reaction are water vapor and heat, which can be used for bus heating. [6] [7] [18]

Chassis

The chassis is based on the fourth-generation Solaris Urbino 12 electric. The front axle is an independent or optional rigid ZF unit, while the rear drive axle is a ZF AVE110. Like other Solaris Urbino models, the bus features an ECAS suspension with kneeling (70 mm) and raising (60 mm) functions. The steering system is a ZF Servocom. Safety systems include ABS, EBS, ASR, optional ESC, a bus stop brake, and a handbrake. [16]

Body and interior

The bus frame is made of corrosion-resistant stainless steel, with removable side and front panels. Its interior and exterior design draws directly from the fourth-generation Solaris Urbino, updated with a 2018 facelift. Access is via two or three double-leaf doors (with optional single-leaf first doors) measuring 1,250 mm wide. A manual or electric ramp for disabled passengers is installed at the second door, opposite a space for wheelchairs or strollers. The bus is fully low-floor with no transverse steps in the passenger area. It can accommodate up to 37+1 seats, depending on the operator's configuration. Optional air conditioning is available for the passenger area and driver's cabin. [16] Heating uses a CO2 heat pump, leveraging heat from the fuel cell to extend range while maintaining zero emissions, eliminating the need for electric or oil-based heating used in battery buses. [6] [19]

Operations

CountryCityOperatorUnitsDelivery yearsSource
Flag of Austria.svg Austria Villach Postbus0 of 52022 [20]
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czech Republic Ústí nad Labem DP0 (20)2023–2030 [21]
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Netherlands Regions Hoeksche Waard and Goeree-Overflakkee Connexxion232021 [22]
Zutphen, Apeldoorn, Achterhoek regionArriva102021 [23] [24]
Flag of Germany.svg Germany Köln RVK152021 [14] [25] [26]
Wuppertal WSW Mobil102021 [25] [26] [27]
Flag of Poland.svg Poland Konin Municipal Transport Company in Konin12022 [28] [29]
Lublin Road and Municipal Transport Authority in Lublin12023
Poznań Municipal Transport Company in Poznań252023
Wałbrzych Public Transport in Wałbrzych0 of 202024–2025
Flag of Slovakia.svg Slovakia Bratislava DP4 of 402023 [30]
Flag of Sweden.svg Sweden Sandviken Transdev22021 [31]
Flag of Italy.svg Italy Bolzano SASA122021 [9] [10] [32]

The first operator to test the Solaris Urbino 12 hydrogen was Municipal Transport Company in Piła, where the bus underwent pre-release trials. [33] The first passenger trials occurred with Postbus in Graz. [13] The bus was also tested for 10 weeks by RATP Group in Paris. [11] [12] The first operator to purchase the Urbino 12 hydrogen was SASA in Bolzano, ordering 10 units with an option for two more. [9] [10] Subsequent orders came from municipal operators in Wuppertal (10 units) and Köln (15 units), with deliveries starting in March 2021. [14] [25] [26] In Poland, Municipal Transport Company in Konin became the first to operate hydrogen buses, leasing one Urbino 12 hydrogen in 2022. [28] [29]

Awards

References

  1. 1 2 "Historia – Solaris Bus & Coach S.A." [History – Solaris Bus & Coach S.A.]. solarisbus.com (in Polish). Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  2. ↑ "650 electric buses supplied last year in Europe, according to Interact Analysis. The leader? VDL". sustainable-bus.com. 31 January 2019. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  3. ↑ Kuciński, Michał (19 December 2014). "Premiera wodorowego Solarisa w Hamburgu" [Debut of Solaris Hydrogen Bus in Hamburg]. TruckFocus.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  4. ↑ "Trolejbus, wodór, Ryga? Solaris" [Trolleybus, Hydrogen, Riga? Solaris]. infobus.pl (in Polish). 25 October 2016. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  5. ↑ "Solaris przygotował trolejbus z ogniwem wodorowym" [Solaris Develops Trolleybus with Hydrogen Fuel Cell]. transport-publiczny.pl (in Polish). 7 September 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Dybalski, Jakub (20 June 2018). "Solaris zaprezentuje autobus wodorowy nowej generacji" [Solaris to Unveil Next-Generation Hydrogen Bus]. transport-publiczny.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  7. 1 2 3 "Solaris z nagrodą za autobus, który... dopiero powstaje" [Solaris Wins Award for a Bus Yet to Be Built]. transport-publiczny.pl (in Polish). 19 March 2019. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  8. ↑ "Prapremiera wodorowego Nowego Urbino. Dla Piły" [Pre-Debut of the New Hydrogen Urbino. For Piła]. infobus.pl (in Polish). 19 April 2019. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  9. 1 2 3 "Solaris potwierdza: 12 wodorowych NU12 jedzie do Bolzano!" [Solaris Confirms: 12 Hydrogen NU12 Buses Head to Bolzano!]. infobus.pl (in Polish). 31 May 2019. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 Malinowski, Łukasz (10 June 2019). "Solaris zaprezentował w Sztokholmie swój autobus wodorowy [zdjęcia]" [Solaris Unveils Its Hydrogen Bus in Stockholm [Photos]]. transport-publiczny.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  11. 1 2 "UITP 2019: RATP przetestuje wodorowego Solarisa [FILM]" [UITP 2019: RATP to Test Solaris Hydrogen Bus [Video]]. infobus.pl (in Polish). 13 June 2019. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  12. 1 2 "Paryż testuje wodorowego Solarisa" [Paris Tests Solaris Hydrogen Bus]. transport-publiczny.pl (in Polish). 20 October 2020. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  13. 1 2 Dybalski, Jakub (19 August 2019). "Graz. Solaris Urbino 12 Hydrogen testowany w Austrii" [Graz. Solaris Urbino 12 Hydrogen Tested in Austria]. transport-publiczny.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  14. 1 2 3 4 "Pierwszy wodorowy Solaris dotarł do Kolonii" [First Solaris Hydrogen Bus Arrives in Cologne]. transport-publiczny.pl (in Polish). 12 March 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  15. ↑ Urbanowicz, Witold (14 September 2022). "Solaris ze światową premierą przegubowego autobusu wodorowego" [Solaris Unveils World's First Articulated Hydrogen Bus]. transport-publiczny.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 "Premiery 2019. Katalog produktowy" [2019 Premieres. Product Catalog](PDF). solarisbus.com (in Polish). Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 June 2019.
  17. 1 2 "Mit Wasserstoff durchs ganze Tal" [With Hydrogen Through the Entire Valley]. wsw-online.de (in German). Archived from the original on 30 September 2020.
  18. ↑ "Premiera Solarisa Urbino 12 hydrogen" [Premiere of Solaris Urbino 12 Hydrogen]. kurier-kolejowy.pl (in Polish). 29 May 2019. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  19. ↑ "Berlin zamawia 90 elektrycznych autobusów od Solarisa" [Berlin Orders 90 Electric Buses from Solaris]. infobus.pl (in Polish). 19 June 2019. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  20. ↑ "Największy przewoźnik w Austrii zamawia pierwsze autobusy wodorowe" [Austria's Largest Operator Orders First Hydrogen Buses]. transport-publiczny.pl (in Polish). 29 December 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  21. ↑ "Pierwsze wodorowe autobusy w Czechach dostarczy Solaris" [First Hydrogen Buses in Czech Republic to Be Supplied by Solaris]. transport-publiczny.pl (in Polish). 8 December 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  22. ↑ "Holenderski przewoźnik kupuje wodorowe Solarisy" [Dutch Operator Buys Solaris Hydrogen Buses]. transport-publiczny.pl (in Polish). 14 April 2020. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  23. ↑ "A new batch of Solaris Urbino hydrogen in the Netherlands". sustainable-bus.com. 27 January 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  24. ↑ "Hydrogen bus on fire in the Netherlands. A Solaris bus in Arriva's depot has been destroyed. Investigations are underway". sustainable-bus.com. 23 November 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  25. 1 2 3 Dybalski, Jakub (5 March 2020). "Solaris w 2019 r. z rekordowymi przychodami i 1,5 tys. pojazdów" [Solaris in 2019 with Record Revenues and 1,500 Vehicles]. transport-publiczny.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  26. 1 2 3 "Kolonia i Wuppertal zamawiają autobusy wodorowe od Solarisa" [Cologne and Wuppertal Order Solaris Hydrogen Buses]. transport-publiczny.pl (in Polish). 13 March 2020. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  27. ↑ "Wuppertaler Wasserstoffbusse schaffen Kostenparität zum Diesel" [Wuppertal Hydrogen Buses Achieve Cost Parity with Diesel]. vision-mobility.de (in German). 24 June 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  28. 1 2 "Konin pierwszym miastem w Polsce z autobusem wodorowym. Umowa podpisana" [Konin Becomes Poland's First City with a Hydrogen Bus. Contract Signed]. transport-publiczny.pl (in Polish). 7 July 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  29. 1 2 Biskupska, Katarzyna (8 July 2022). "Konin jako pierwsze miasto w Polsce użytkuje autobus wodorowy Solarisa. Model Urbino 12 już w MZK Konin" [Konin, Poland's First City to Operate Solaris Hydrogen Bus. Urbino 12 Model Now with MZK Konin]. samochody-specjalne.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  30. ↑ Farsewicz, Przemysław (6 December 2021). "Bratysława wybiera dostawcę autobusów wodorowych. Solaris pokonuje Toyotę" [Bratislava Selects Hydrogen Bus Supplier. Solaris Beats Toyota]. transport-publiczny.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  31. ↑ "Wodorowe Solarisy pojadą do Szwecji" [Solaris Hydrogen Buses Head to Sweden]. transport-publiczny.pl (in Polish). 26 November 2020. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  32. ↑ "Wodorowe Solarisy już we włoskim Bolzano" [Solaris Hydrogen Buses Now in Bolzano, Italy]. transport-publiczny.pl (in Polish). 14 May 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  33. ↑ "Autobus wodorowy w Pile" [Hydrogen Bus in Piła]. mzk.pila.pl (in Polish). 18 April 2019. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
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