530 e-buses for Hamburg: Solaris, Mercedes and MAN the suppliers

Hamburger Hochbahn has selected Solaris, Mercedes and MAN as potential suppliers of 530 electric buses to be delivered in the period between 2021-2025.

Today the public transport operator in Hamburg, Hamburger Hochbahn announced the list.

UPDATE 16TH DECEMBER 2020:
Solaris announces it has received its first order for 5 e-buses measuring 12 metres and 5 18-metre e-buses. In line with the signed contract, the vehicles will be handed over to Hamburg in October 2021.

Solaris electric buses for Hamburg

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.

In its new 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.

“With this new order 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.

Mercedes electric buses for Hamburg

Hamburger Hochbahn AG received the first series-production model of the fully electric driven Mercedes-Benz eCitaro in November 2018 as part of an order for 20 eCitaro units. The company has ordered a further batch of 25 eCitaro buses for the current year.

“We are delighted with this new agreement with Hamburger Hochbahn AG. It confirms the high practical suitability for the eCitaro, as Hamburg has been successfully employing the bus in regular service operations for almost two years. We are extremely happy that with our fully electric urban bus, we can contribute towards making local public transport locally emission-free with low noise levels and in turn towards the quality of life in cities.” commented Till Oberwörder, Head of Daimler Buses. Henrik Falk, Chairman of the Board of Management at Hochbahn: “With this purchase we are laying an important foundation for the complete conversion of our fleet to climate friendly drives. For the first time in Germany we also applied criteria pertaining to sustainability during the tender process. In doing so we want not only to assume our responsibility at a local level but globally too. This is an important step on the way to truly green mobility and a company that is climate-neutral.”