German version

The new Solaris Urbino electric brings autonomous electric mobility to our cities. Solaris’s first electric bus covers up to 100 km without any need to be recharged. A host of new design features brings down the vehicle’s weight and compensates for the burden of the batteries. Volume production will start in 2013.

“Diesel is dead – long live electricity!” Solaris founder Krzysztof Olszewski’s words, spoken at the unveiling of the first Solaris hybrid bus five years ago, today are truer than ever as the new Solaris Urbino electric bus takes centre stage. Zero emission, quiet operation and independence from rising fossil fuel prices are just three of the Solaris Urbino electric’s key attributes for sustainable mobility.

Flexible Operation

Offering up to 100 km range when measured against the UITP-defined SORT 1 and SORT 2 cycles and charging its batteries in just four hours, the new Solaris Urbino electric enables flexible operation.

The bus has been based on the proven Alpino 8.9 LE midibus. The new electric drive takes up less space, allowing the rear axle to be moved by 310 mm towards the back of the bus, freeing up valuable space for passengers on board. With its skilful use of the low-entry concept, the Solaris Urbino electric offers plenty of seats despite its small dimensions. At just 8.9 m long and 2.4 m wide, the bus shown at Busworld Kortrijk nevertheless has 26 seats. Depending on specification, between 21 and 29 fixed seats and an additional two tip-up seats are possible. Step-free entrances make the bus easily accessible, with a dedicated space for wheelchair users and pushchairs reserved opposite the second door.

Sophisticated Electric Drive

The drivetrain of the Solaris Urbino electric is supplied by Solaris’s system partner Vossloh Kiepe. The German specialist has built on decades of experience as a manufacturer of electric traction equipment to bring the perfect set of technology to the Solaris Urbino electric. At the heart of the bus is a 120 kW, four-pole asynchronous electric motor, delivering up to 1.400 Nm torque. It has been fitted underfloor at the back of the bus, where it powers the rear axle and smoothly brings the electric bus up to usual city traffic speeds of 50 km/h.