German operator LNVG buys 23 Solaris fuel cell buses

Solaris has received an order over 23 hydrogen buses from Germany. The order comprises 15 Urbino 12 and eight Urbino 18 Hydrogen buses with deliveries to start later this year, at least for the smaller models.

The order has come through public transport operator Lokale Nahverkehrsgesellschaft mbH in the District of Groß-Gerau or LNVG for short. The company operates in Hesse with neighbouring districts like Frankfurt.

Solaris expects to deliver the 12-metre vehicles by November this year, while the 18-metre variants shall arrive by mid-2025.

According to the press statement, LNVG has been testing hydrogen technology in public transport for a few years and aims to transform the whole fleet to zero-emission by 2030. It is still the first order LNVG has placed with the Polish manufacturer.

At the same time, the operator joins a growing circle of public transit companies opting for Solaris hydrogen buses. The manufacturer this week released its 2023 stats and reported orders for over 700 fuel cell buses in Europe. About 500 still await fulfilment.

The Urbino 12 and 18 hydrogen are powered by energy derived from 70 kW and 100 kW fuel cells, respectively, and their driveline is based on electric traction motors. The buses will be fitted with Solaris High Power batteries that act in hydrogen vehicles as a supporting energy storage facility.

solarisbus.com