Solaris, a prominent European bus manufacturer, has successfully delivered ten hydrogen buses to two private bus carriers in the Upper Bavaria region of Germany.
With the aim to enhance emission-free transportation, these buses are equipped with cutting-edge fuel cell technology, offering a sustainable and efficient solution to public transit. As the world embraces the transition to greener mobility, this milestone project showcases the potential impact of hydrogen-powered buses on reducing emissions and revolutionizing the future of urban transportation.
The two German carriers, Busreisen Ettenhuber GmbH and Martin Geldhauser GmbH & Co. KG., demonstrated their commitment to sustainable transportation by placing an order for ten Solaris Urbino 12 hydrogen buses in April of the previous year. Now, after meticulous manufacturing and preparation, the buses have been delivered to their respective owners, heralding a new era of eco-friendly public transport in the Munich and Ebersberg regions.
The Solaris Urbino 12 hydrogen buses are equipped with advanced fuel cell kits, each boasting an impressive capacity of 70 kW. Hydrogen, the clean fuel source, is stored in five tanks with a combined capacity of 1,560 liters. This technology allows the buses to cover a minimum distance of 350 kilometers on a single refueling, making them suitable for daily operations in urban settings.
The hydrogen buses feature an axle with integrated electric motors, ensuring smooth and efficient propulsion. To complement the fuel cell, the vehicles are equipped with a Solaris High Power traction battery, which provides additional support during peak electricity demand, optimizing energy usage and efficiency.
Safety is of utmost importance in public transportation, and the hydrogen buses incorporate advanced features to ensure passenger and pedestrian well-being. The vehicles are equipped with the MobilEye Shield+ system, which effectively monitors blind spots and promptly warns drivers of any pedestrians or cyclists in the vicinity. This safety system utilizes acoustic and light signals to alert the driver, mitigating potential accidents.
In addition to safety features, the carriers have also embraced modern technology for fleet management. The eSConnect system enables remote diagnostics of the buses, optimizing fleet operations by enhancing vehicle availability, reducing downtime, and minimizing unnecessary returns to the depot.
As a crucial component of this hydrogen-powered initiative, Solaris, in partnership with the carriers, is overseeing the construction of hydrogen filling stations at the Geldhauser and Ettenhuber depots. These stations will supply green hydrogen, produced exclusively from renewable energy sources in Pfeffenhausen near Landshut. This commitment to green hydrogen ensures that the entire process, from production to consumption, remains environmentally sustainable.
Solaris’ collaboration with Busreisen Ettenhuber and Martin Geldhauser dates back to 2004. Over the years, the manufacturer has delivered more than 130 buses to Ettenhuber and 60 to Geldhauser, fostering a strong partnership that has now entered a new era of hydrogen-powered mobility. Solaris’ leadership in the segment of hydrogen buses is evident, with a total of 350 hydrogen buses delivered and contracts concluded, solidifying its position as the European leader in this groundbreaking technology.
The introduction of hydrogen buses to the Upper Bavarian region marks a significant milestone in the pursuit of greener and more sustainable urban transportation. The successful collaboration between Solaris and the Bavarian carriers highlights the growing interest in emission-free solutions across Europe. As these hydrogen buses gracefully glide into regular service this fall, they symbolize the transformative potential of hydrogen technology in shaping a cleaner, greener, and more efficient future for public transit.
