Bolzano orders 12 Solaris hydrogen buses

The Italian city of Bolzano is the first one to order Solaris Urbino 12 hydrogen buses. Twelve Solaris hydrogen buses will follow the last year’s delivery of battery vehicles. The contract includes an 8 year-long service and maintenance package.

SASA Bolzano will be the first customer to receive the newest development of Solaris, the Urbino 12 hydrogen. The energy stored in hydrogen is directly fed into the driveline of the vehicle. Hydrogen technology used for power generation will enable buses to traverse even longer distances completely emission-free.

- Bolzano invests strongly in modern and clean public transport. I am very happy that Solaris can be a part of it delivering its newest zero-emission technologies. SASA already has our Urbino electric buses. Now Solaris and Bolzano go hydrogen – says Petros Spinaris, Deputy CEO of Solaris Bus & Coach S.A.

The vehicles will be equipped with cutting-edge full cell (60 kW) and Solaris High Power batteries. The battery is filled with energy derived from hydrogen and through the regenerative braking, though it is also possible to recharge it by means of a plug-in socket. Complementing the driveline is an axle with integrated electric motors (2 x 125 kW). In order to reduce energy use to a maximum, the vehicle will feature a climate control system with a CO₂ heat pump that allows to use waste heat from the fuel cell.

In a hydrogen fuel cell, electric power is generated in a process called reverse electrolysis and then passed on directly to the driveline. The sole products of the chemical reaction occurring in the fuel cell are heat and steam. Consequently, the vehicle does not generate any noxious substances whatsoever. Hydrogen is stored in composite roof tanks. Thanks to the use of advanced technology, the bus will be capable of covering up to 350 km on a single refill.

Part of the contract is also a special drivers’ and workshop personnel’s training emphasizing the safety aspects of using and servicing hydrogen vehicles.