30 years of Solaris: from the first low-floor buses in Poland to a global manufacturer of zero-emission vehicles

Solaris celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Since the first bus rolled out of the production hall in Bolechowo, Poland in 1996, the company has evolved into one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of city buses and a leader in the zero-emission vehicle segment. Buses and trolleybuses bearing the brand operate in hundreds of cities, while electric and hydrogen technologies are the strategic direction of the manufacturer’s development. Solaris marks its jubilee by emphasizing that its strength has always been its people – their commitment, expertise, and the values that have shaped the company’s character for three decades.

After 30 years of operation, Solaris ranks among the most important manufacturers of city buses in Europe. During this time, the company has delivered 28,000 buses and trolleybuses to nearly 900 cities across 33 countries in Europe and beyond. More countries will soon be added to this map – Canada and the United States – as the manufacturer develops a new North American chapter. A key part of this story is the development of zero-emission propulsion systems – to date, Solaris has introduced nearly 7,000 vehicles with no exhaust emissions to European streets, including electric and hydrogen buses as well as trolleybuses. Quiet and emission-free Solaris vehicles, available in various lengths and configurations, are being deployed in European cities, bringing tangible improvements to public transport quality and, consequently, enhancing the quality of life for residents.

Solaris’ journey to this position began in the mid-1990s, during the transformation of the Polish economy and the modernization of public transport across many European cities. It was then that Krzysztof Olszewski founded the company, which would go on to become one of the market leaders. On 22 March 1996, the first low-floor city bus left the factory in Bolechowo – still under the Neoplan brand. At that time, the manufacturer employed just 36 people and produced 56 vehicles in its first year of operation. Today, the company employs nearly 4,000 people in Poland and Solaris’ 16 subsidiaries in Europe.

A breakthrough moment in the company’s history came with the premiere of the Solaris Urbino model in 1999 – the first city bus designed under the Solaris brand. Shortly thereafter, in 2001, the offer was expanded to include the Trollino trolleybus, powered by electricity from overhead lines, which was also the manufacturer’s first zero-emission vehicle.

The company’s dynamic growth led to rapid international expansion at the beginning of the 21st century. By 2003, Solaris had delivered 1,400 buses to operators in 11 European countries. The manufacturer also continued to develop new propulsion technologies – introducing, among others, CNG-powered buses and the world’s first mass-produced hybrid buses. A new chapter in the company’s history began with the development of e-mobility. In 2011, Solaris presented the Urbino electric model – the brand’s first fully electric city bus.

The new generation of Urbino brought a new design and an award-winning aesthetic. Within this product line, the manufacturer introduced models of various lengths and drivetrains. At the same time, zero-emission technologies continued to evolve: hydrogen fuel cells were added as a range extender, the Urbino electric won the “Bus of the Year 2017” title, and in 2019 the portfolio was expanded with a hydrogen bus in which electricity is generated directly on board, producing water instead of exhaust emissions. In subsequent years, the offer grew to include additional battery-electric and hydrogen models – the intercity Urbino 15 LE electric, the compact midibus Urbino 9 LE electric, as well as a bi-articulated model measuring up to 24 meters in length. In 2025, the articulated hydrogen bus was named Bus of the Year.

In 2018, Solaris joined the CAF Group, enabling the company’s dynamic expansion into global markets. Alongside technological development, the manufacturer has expanded its production and logistics infrastructure. The logistics center in Jasin, the innovative Charging Park, a new warehouse hall, and the modernized factory enable Solaris to meet growing demand in Europe and prepare for global expansion.

Today, Solaris is one of the key players in the European city bus market and one of the most recognizable Polish companies. Since 2012, the company has delivered the highest number of hydrogen and electric buses in Europe – one in every seven zero-emission vehicles in Europe is a Solaris bus. As much as 86% of Solaris’ sales now consist of low- and zero-emission vehicles. The company continues to develop electric and hydrogen technologies, invests in its own battery solutions, and gradually expands its offering into new market segments. After three decades of operation, its direction remains unchanged – to create modern, zero-emission buses for cities around the world.

“Over the last three decades Solaris has evolved into a market leader, shaping modern public transport across Europe. We stand on solid, future-proof foundations - ready to scale, innovate, and continue the transformation of the mobility in the cities. As we begin our fourth decade, we do so with the same determination and with even more ambitious plans for the future”, said Agata Stańda, CEO of Solaris Bus & Coach.

On 13 March, Solaris published its sales and financial results for 2025. More information is available here: LINK.