Today the public transport operator in Hamburg, Hamburger Hochbahn, announced the list of potential suppliers of 530 electric buses to be delivered in the period between 2021-2025. Solaris made it to the list with its offer of twelve- and eighteen-metre electric buses.
Hamburger Hochbahn is one of the biggest public transport carriers in Germany. For many years the company has been investing in its fleet of zero-emission buses. For example in 2014 Solaris delivered two electric buses with a hydrogen fuel cell to Hamburg. Then from 2016 to 2019 the Polish manufacturer delivered further 13 battery buses to Hamburger Hochbahn.
This year Hamburger Hochbahn announced a call for tender for the delivery of 530 twelve and eighteen-metre (articulated) battery buses. Three potential manufacturers were officially shortlisted to deliver the buses and the list was announced today. Solaris is among them. The vehicles will be orderd in tranches over the next 5 years. By 2025, the Hamburg transport operator's fleet is to be expanded by a total of 530 electric buses.
“With the order, we are laying an essential foundation stone for the complete conversion of our fleet to climate-friendly drives. For the first time in Germany, we also applied sustainability criteria in the tender. We want to take on a global responsibility in addition to our local responsibility. An important step on the way to real green mobility and a climate-neutral company”, said Henrik Falk, CEO of Hamburger Hochbahn.
“Being one of three key suppliers of a total of 530 electric buses for the customer from Hamburg is a great recognition for our achievements in e-mobility. It is a framework contract and the extent of the final order might vary. However I sincerely hope that Solaris will be delivering within the next four years both 12-metre buses and articulated ones, which will at the same time allow us to maintain our leading position on the market of electric buses in Europe,” said Petros Spinaris, Deputy CEO of Solaris.
In its bid submitted to Hamburger Hochbahn Solaris presented two bus models: the Urbino 12 electric and the Urbino 18 electric. In its version for the operator from Hamburg both vehicles will be fitted with high capacity batteries Solaris High Energy+, engines integrated into the drive axle and will be plug-in charged. Additionally the vehicles will feature thermal preconditioning during battery recharge. It’s worth mentioning that the buses will feature solutions additionally increasing the driver’s and passengers’ safety, such as blind spot assistance system that warns the driver about passers-by and cyclists who are close to the vehicle.
Information Solaris
Solaris Bus & Coach sp. z o.o. is one of the leading producers of city and intercity buses in Europe. It focuses in particular on the development of zero-emission vehicles, i. e. electric and hydrogen buses as well as trolleybuses. This has resulted in the widest zero-emission product range in the European market and a leading position in this segment with a market share of 15.2%. Nearly 25,000 Solaris vehicles have been delivered so far and they ply the streets in 850 towns and cities across 33 countries located throughout Europe as well as beyond it. Solaris is part of the Spanish CAF Group (Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles) S.A. From conception, to the design and manufacturing phases, all Solaris buses are produced in Poland. Moreover, all activities undertaken by the manufacturer are in line with the brand’s mission, which is reflected in the motto “We are changing the image of public transport”. Solaris also actively partners with public transport operators and provides them with comprehensive support in their transition to zero-emission mobility.
Additional information
Mateusz Figaszewski
E-mobility Development & Market Intelligence Director
mateusz.figaszewski@solarisbus.com
