The public transport operator in the German city of Duisburg has chosen Solaris for the delivery of 25 Urbino hydrogen buses—11 of the 12-meter version and 14 articulated, 18-meter vehicles.

This marks the first step for Duisburger Verkehrsgesellschaft AG (DVG) in its hourney to transform its fleet to completely emission-free by 2030. These buses will be the first hydrogen vehicles in the city, with delivery scheduled for 2024 for the Solaris Urbino 12 hydrogen and mid-2025 for the Solaris Urbino 18 hydrogen.

The Urbino 12 will use 70 kW fuel cells, while the Urbino 18 will use 100 kW. The hydrogen Solaris buses feature an electric traction motor with 160 kW output in the 12-meter model and 240 kW in the articulated version. Moreover, the ordered vehicles will be equipped with Solaris High Power batteries, providing additional electric energy storage.

Passenger comfort and safety are ensured through an efficient CO₂ heat pump, monitoring, and a modern passenger information system. The driver’s work will be supported by extensive assistance systems (ADAS), including the detection of pedestrians and cyclists in the so-called blind spot, alerting the bus driver with audible and visual signals. Furthermore, ongoing operations are assisted by eSConnect, Solaris’ bus fleet monitoring, and management system.

Solaris has so far delivered more than 3,000 buses with electric and hydrogen propulsion systems. Urbino hydrogen buses have been contracted by customers from Austria, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Switzerland, Sweden and Italy.