Solaris buses head to San Francisco! Another milestone order in the U.S.

In December 2024, Solaris signed its first contract for bus deliveries to the United States. The recipient of four electric buses is King County Metro, the public transport operator in Seattle, Washington. The agreement includes options for additional vehicles. The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) has recently exercised contractual options by placing an order for six Solaris electric buses.

The SFMTA contract includes three 40-foot battery-electric buses and three 60-foot articulated battery-electric buses. The vehicles will feature specifications closely aligned with those ordered by King County Metro, with the exception of operational and revenue related equipment, which will be tailored to meet San Francisco’s needs.

“This order from San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency marks another milestone in our strategy to enter the U.S. market. I would like to thank the SFMTA for choosing Solaris, and we assure them that we will deliver zero-emission battery-electric vehicles that meet all local requirements and offer cutting-edge technology in this segment,” said Agata Stańda, CEO of Solaris Bus & Coach.

“We are excited to partner with Solaris as they expand into the North American market,” said Julie Kirschbaum, SFMTA Director of Transportation. “At SFMTA, we are committed to bringing our riders the best possible experience, and the Solaris buses offer modern customer amenities that make transit more comfortable and accessible. Equally important, these vehicles prioritize operator safety and reliability, which is central to our mission of providing safe, world-class service for San Francisco. This order represents both our commitment to zero-emission technology and our enthusiasm for welcoming innovative partners like Solaris to the U.S. market.”

Solaris is a European leader in the production of electric buses and trolleybuses. As part of its long-term strategy, Solaris is establishing its presence in North America. Thanks to its service proven technology, its quality, and its market competitiveness, Solaris will become a strong and reliable alternative for the North American operators that plan to adopt zero emission solutions. 

To date, the company has secured contracts to deliver battery-electric buses to Seattle and trolleybuses to Vancouver, Canada. The San Francisco order represents another step forward in Solaris’ presence in North America.

To date, Solaris has delivered over 6,000 zero-emission vehicles, including battery-electric, hydrogen-powered, and trolleybuses operating in nearly 30 countries. Solaris offers the most comprehensive product portfolio on the market, covering all lengths and propulsion technologies, with a strong focus on low- and zero-emission solutions. In 2017, the Solaris Urbino 12 electric was awarded the prestigious “Bus of the Year” title, and in 2025, the Solaris Urbino 18 hydrogen received the same honor in Europe.