Solaris to deliver eight hydrogen buses to France
The buses were purchased by the SMTC, which stands for ‘Le Syndicat Mixte des Transports en Commun du Territoire de Belfort’ and brings together regional transport operators. The Régie des Transports du Territoire de Belfort (RTTB) will then operate the fuel cell buses.
The Urbino 18 hydrogen is an 18-metre articulated bus with a 100 kW hydrogen fuel cell, which Solaris buys from Ballard, and composite tanks that can store more than 50 kg of hydrogen at a pressure of 350 bar. The vehicle also has several batteries with a total capacity of 60 kWh mounted on top. They are used as an auxiliary power source, for example, during acceleration. They also store energy recuperated during braking. They can also be charged externally.
Depending on the door arrangement, the larger Solaris hydrogen bus can seat a maximum of 52 passengers.
Solaris says this is already its third order for hydrogen-powered buses in France. In March, it announced an order for 22 Urbino 12 Hydrogen from Paris, which will also be delivered next year.
“We are extremely proud to collaborate with SMTC in Belfort and to supply the city with the high-tech, zero-emission hydrogen buses. The Urbino 18 hydrogen are not only an innovative means of transport but also a step towards a sustainable future. Thanks to the new Solaris buses, the residents of Belfort will be able to enjoy cleaner air and modern, reliable public transport,” said Brice Bonavia, Managing Director of Solaris France.
Solaris hydrogen-fuelled bus is becoming more popular. At the beginning of the year, the manufacturer reportedly had 700 orders on the books. Moreover, the manufacturer says that it held almost 50 per cent of the market share in the FC bus segment last year and that more than 220 Urbino hydrogen models are already in operation in Europe.
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