On 14 September, Solaris unveiled its Urbino 18 hydrogen bus. The launch video is available at www.solarisbus.com
The articulated Urbino 18 hydrogen bus is now Solaris’s second hydrogen bus in its zero-emission offering. As with the shorter version, the main energy source in this vehicle is hydrogen. With this 18-metre model, the manufacturer is responding to the growing market for vehicles of this type. This also reflects the commitment of Solaris when it comes to the development of zero-emission solutions and its desire to provide its clients with the widest possible range of environmentally friendly vehicles.
The heart of the Urbino 18 hydrogen bus is a cutting-edge fuel cell that acts as a miniature hydrogen power plant. Hydrogen is transformed by the fuel cell into electricity which is then transferred to the driveline. Solaris’s new vehicle doesn’t feature a conventional engine compartment as it has been equipped with a modular drive system. The space thus saved allowed the bus maker to increase the vehicle’s passenger capacity. What is more, by eliminating the engine compartment more space on the roof has been created, where composite light tanks with a total capacity of 51.2 kg have been mounted. The use of a modular drive also facilitates servicing as its main components are now accessible from floor level.
The electricity from the hydrogen fuel cell in this articulated Solaris bus is transferred directly to the driveline. Solaris batteries mounted in the vehicle serve as an auxiliary power source, used, for example, during acceleration and as a storage for recovered energy. Solaris batteries with a capacity of around 60 kWh, mounted in the vehicle serve as an auxiliary power source, used, for example, during acceleration as well as a storage for recovered energy.
The Urbino 18 hydrogen will be able to cover about 350 km on a single refill in various weather conditions. Depending on the configuration, the bus will be able to carry up to 138 passengers.
The first deliveries of the 18-metre articulated vehicle will be possible as early as the second quarter of 2023. Clients will be offered the possibility of customising the bus to cater for their individual preferences. As standard, the new model will feature an air-conditioning system for the passenger compartment with a heat pump, which uses heat drawn in from outside to create the right vehicle temperature. The air conditioning in the driver’s cabin is powered by the passenger compartment unit. As regards additional features, clients may choose from a variety of solutions, for example, they may opt for ADAS, i. e. advanced drivers assistance systems such as MirrorEye or MobilEye Shield+.
For more information about the Urbino 18 hydrogen bus please visit www.solarisbus.com
E-mobility has been a priority in Solaris’s activities for many years. Hydrogen technology has expanded Solaris’s range of electric drives and it is responding perfectly to the needs of carriers from all over Europe. By offering increasingly technologically advanced and environmentally friendly vehicles, Solaris has become a leader amongst European suppliers of zero-emission city buses. In 2022, the manufacturer signed a contract for its 2000th electric bus. Zero-emission Urbino models, of various lengths and configurations, now ply the streets of over 140 towns and cities in 21 European countries.
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