First of 130 articulated electric buses from Solaris deployed in Warsaw

First of the 130 Solaris Urbino 18 electric bus has been deployed on bus line 503 in Warsaw.

Since the beginning of the year, Warsaw has been delivered electric buses under the contract that Solaris secured in July last year.

“This is a huge step for the citizens of Warsaw towards improving the air quality in the capital city. It is also an excellent example of modern city transport management and of the transition towards sustainable urban transport,” assured Javier Calleja, CEO of Solaris Bus & Coach S.A. “Residents of Warsaw will be able to benefit from the inclusion of all 130 electric vehicles in the fleet of Warsaw bus operator MZA by the end of this year.”

Each of the 130 articulated, electric Urbinos is an extremely quiet, fully emission-free public transport bus with a capacity for 133 passengers. The vehicles are equipped with 150 kWh Solaris High Power batteries. They boast a high power density, which means they can be charged really fast using high current. Crucially, the batteries have a long life and a significant number of charging cycles. Similar battery solutions have been implemented by the Polish producer in electric buses operating in Brussels and in Barcelona, among others.

The batteries will be recharged by means of plug-in depot charging stations and by means of pantographs. Each articulated electric bus for Warsaw features two charging sockets: one above the right wheel arch and the other placed behind the last door, whereas the pantograph is mounted on the roof.

“The purchase of 130 articulated electric buses made by Solaris is a big event for us. Thanks to this and to our other investments in the fleet we will soon be able to boast nearly 500 low- and zero emission vehicles. This is one of the best results Europe-wide and great news for Warsaw residents,” said Jan Kuźmiński, CEO of the municipal bus operator Miejskie Zakłady Autobusowe Sp. z o.o.

The cooperation between the Bolechowo-based manufacturer and MZA in Warsaw dates back to 1997. It is the company's biggest client to-date. Over the course of 24 years, the bus maker has supplied to Warsaw over 1100 vehicles, including 21 electrically propelled ones. In line with the agenda of MZA, by 2022 one third of the bus fleet in Warsaw will be made up of vehicles with alternative propulsion systems: electric, hybrid or gas.