Up to 18 e-buses for King County Metro: Solaris wins first contract in the US market

Solaris has been awarded its first contract in the US market: 4 electric buses will be supplied to King County Metro, the main public transport authority in Seattle (Washington State) with a fleet of more than 1,500 buses.

Specifically, this agreement includes the delivery of two 40-foot (12 m) electric buses and two 60-foot (18 m) articulated electric buses, with the option to extend this supply by up to 12 additional units. The vehicles are scheduled for delivery in the second half of 2026.

The objective of penetrating the North American market with an exclusive value proposition of zero-emission urban buses is written down in 2026 Strategic Plan of CAF Group for the bus sector, announced in 2024. In 2023 Solaris held a trolleybus test in the Canadian market.

In 2023 King County Metro has secured $33.5 million in federal funding to support the acquisition of zero-emission buses and is now upgrading its trolleybus fleet in cooperation with Kiepe.

Solaris provides buses in the US

These buses will be based on the electric platform designed specifically for the North American market, which complies with all U.S. regulations, including the FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) and the ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act). This platform incorporates Solaris’ most advanced battery bus technology based on 15 years of experience in the European market. This includes advanced electric propulsion systems, Solaris’ patented battery integration technology, and state-of-the-art connectivity features, CAF Group, Solaris parent company, points out in a press note.

To date, Solaris has delivered more than 5,000 zero-emission vehicles, including battery electric buses, hydrogen buses and trolleybuses, operating in some 30 European countries.

CAF adds that “The North American market is currently characterised as a stable market of around 7,000 urban buses per year. The penetration of zero-emission buses is currently low, but the market is expected to grow at double-digit rates until 2030. Solaris is working on several opportunities that may come to fruition soon”.

“This agreement is an incredibly important achievement and a milestone in the history of Solaris. This is another step towards the realization of our strategic goals, and of our vision to make Solaris the supplier of choice in North America for zero emission buses. We want to thank King County Metro for choosing Solaris and our product. It is my pleasure to be here, I am sure that this is the start of a fruitful collaboration with King County Metro and that our vehicles will meet and exceed their expectations,” said Javier Iriarte, CEO of Solaris Bus & Coach.