The Canadian city of Vancouver is getting a new generation of battery trolleybuses from Polish manufacturer Solaris Bus & Coach. The first of the new vehicles has arrived at the transport company in Gdynia, northern Poland, for testing.
The new bus belongs to the Trollino 12 series – the 12-metre low-floor trolleybus type that has long been popular in Europe. It is part of a major order from the transport company TransLink, which initially comprises 107 vehicles – we reported on this HERE. There are also options for up to 405 additional vehicles, including up to 204 Solaris Trollino 18 articulated buses.
The 107 new trolleybuses are to be gradually delivered by 2027, partly replacing the vehicles currently in use, which were built between 2006 and 2009 by the manufacturer New Flyer with electrical equipment from Kiepe Electric. Vancouver currently operates a total of around 262 trolleybuses, including 74 articulated vehicles, on 14 lines – one of the largest networks in North America.
Modern technology with battery support
The new generation of vehicles combines classic trolleybus operation with modern battery technology in the form of in-motion charging. This allows the buses to travel up to around 20 km without overhead lines. This means that the route network can be expanded without the need for additional overhead line construction. Additional vehicles, some of which have been agreed as options, are also planned for this purpose. The ability to travel longer distances away from the overhead line also allows for flexible routing and diversions without the need to build additional infrastructure.
The most important features of the new vehicles include:
- Full low floor for barrier-free access
- Air conditioning and modern passenger information system
- Electrical equipment from Polish manufacturer Medcom
- Battery auxiliary drive for sections without overhead lines
Strategic move for Solaris
The order from Vancouver is particularly significant for Solaris as it marks the company’s entry into the North American market. The company is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of trolleybuses and has already delivered thousands of zero-emission vehicles.
With the introduction of the new Trollino generation, Vancouver is continuing to focus on electric trolleybus operation.
