Dopravní podnik města Ústí nad Labem, the Czech carrier, has signed a framework deal with Solaris Bus & Coach for the delivery of up to twenty hydrogen buses.
This is Solaris’s first contract in the Czech Republic for hydrogen-fueled buses.
The city of Ústí nad Labem public transport provider and Solaris Bus & Coach have reached a deal on the acquisition of zero-emission Urbino 12 hydrogen buses. It is valid for eight years and allows the carrier to order up to twenty hydrogen buses during that time. Once the vehicles are ordered, they must be delivered within 420 days of the signing of the purchase contract. Although this is the first contract in the Czech Republic for hydrogen buses, it is not the first collaboration between the bus manufacturer and the city of Ústí nad Labem. Currently, 44 Solaris buses equipped with a variety of propulsion systems are used in public transportation.
“Over the years, we have delivered over 1200 vehicles with different drives, i. e. diesel, CNG vehicles and trolleybuses, to the Czech Republic. The latest contract for the delivery of up to 20 hydrogen buses is absolutely groundbreaking. I would like to congratulate the carrier, Dopravní podnik města Ústí nad Labem, on this prestigious investment. Looking at the rate of technological development and growing interest from operators, our company feels reassured every day that it is on the right track in fostering the decarbonisation of public transport”, said Petros Spinaris, Board Member of Solaris for Sales and After Sales.
The Urbino 12 hydrogen bus is the manufacturer’s most technologically advanced vehicle. The hydrogen buses in question will be equipped with two 125 kW electric motors, ultra-modern 70 kW fuel cell packs, and five composite tanks with a total capacity of 1560 l for hydrogen storage. They will be capable of reaching at least 350 kilometers on a single refill due to the technology used in them. Additionally, they will include a relatively small Solaris High Power traction battery to assist the fuel cell during periods of heightened demand for electric power.
To ensure the safety of passengers, the cars will be equipped with a tyre pressure and temperature monitoring system. Additionally, the Urbino 12 hydrogen buses bound for Ústí nad Labem will be equipped with a passenger counting system, a system for visually challenged passengers, and USB charging ports in each row of seats. Additionally, they will be provided with air conditioning powered by a CO2 heat pump.
The hydrogen revolution has officially begun. Solaris has currently secured contracts for and delivered nearly 100 Urbino 12 hydrogen buses to its customers. Contracts and framework agreements have been negotiated with carriers from Austria, France, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Sweden, and Italy. The Czech Republic has now joined this group of countries.
