MPK Poznan orders more Solaris hydrogen buses

MPK Poznań has once again opted to invest in hydrogen technology. The public transport operator has signed a contract with Solaris Bus & Coach for the delivery of five new Solaris Urbino 12 hydrogen buses, immediately opting to expand the order by four additional vehicles. This marks another step towards the development of eco-friendly and modern mobility in the capital of the Greater Poland region.

Solaris continues to strengthen its position as a leader in supplying zero-emission buses to the Polish market. On February 12, the manufacturer and MPK Poznań signed an agreement for the supply of a total of nine hydrogen buses. The base order covered five vehicles, but the operator immediately took advantage of the option to extend it by four more. These modern, environmentally friendly hydrogen-powered buses will hit the streets of Poznań by the end of April 2026, further expanding the city’s hydrogen fleet, which already includes 25 Urbino hydrogen buses.

"We are delighted that Poznań remains committed to modern, zero-emission transport solutions and has once again chosen our hydrogen buses. This is yet another step towards green, sustainable mobility in the capital of Greater Poland. Our long-standing collaboration with MPK Poznań is a great honor for us and a testament to the trust placed in Solaris technology," said Javier Iriarte, CEO of Solaris Bus & Coach, during the contract signing.

The official signing ceremony was attended by representatives of MPK Poznań – CEO Krzysztof Dostatni and Board Member Marek Grzybowski – as well as the Deputy Mayor of Poznań, Mariusz Wiśniewski. The new contract reinforces the city’s long-term strategy for the dynamic development of zero-emission public transport.

”Investing in our fleet is a priority for us, as it improves the comfort of public transport and reflects our commitment to environmental protection. Currently, the company operates around 330 city buses, with zero-emission vehicles making up 25% of the fleet. Once the latest electric and hydrogen buses are delivered, this share will exceed 30%. The introduction of new vehicles means phasing out the least eco-friendly ones,” said Krzysztof Dostatni, CEO of MPK Poznań.

The hydrogen buses included in this latest order will be equipped with state-of-the-art fuel cells that generate electricity onboard by combining hydrogen with oxygen. This energy will power the electric motor, ensuring a quiet and smooth ride with zero emissions – the only byproduct of the process is water vapor. Additionally, each bus will be fitted with a Solaris High Power battery to support the fuel cell during periods of increased energy demand. This system has been optimized for long service life and high operational efficiency.

MPK Poznań has been investing in modern and environmentally friendly transport for years. The operator's fleet currently consists of over 300 Solaris buses, including 58 electric and 25 hydrogen vehicles. Solaris has been collaborating with MPK Poznań continuously since 1996. Notably, in January, MPK ordered 17 articulated electric buses from Solaris.

Hydrogen buses are a key component of Solaris' zero-emission portfolio and are gaining increasing interest in the Polish market. In addition to Poznań, cities such as Konin, Lublin, and Wałbrzych have also decided to invest in this advanced technology. The Urbino hydrogen models, alongside electric buses and trolleybuses, form the most comprehensive zero-emission urban bus portfolio in Europe. To date, Solaris has delivered over 5,500 zero-emission vehicles – including hydrogen, battery-electric, and trolleybuses – that operate in public transport systems in 24 countries.

In the picture (from left): Marek Grzybowski – Vice President of the Management Board for Technical Affairs, Krzysztof Dostatni – CEO, MPK Poznań; Mariusz Wisniewski – Deputy Mayor, City of Poznań, Javier Iriarte – CEO, Solaris Bus & Coach.