New design, driveline architecture and more safety: what’s new in the Solaris Urbino 18
That the future of public transport is zero emissions is now beyond any doubt. Alternative drives, electric and hydrogen, are carving out more and more space in bus passenger transport. On both of these two technologies Solaris, for years, has been at the forefront and at the most important event for the bus & coach […]
That the future of public transport is zero emissions is now beyond any doubt. Alternative drives, electric and hydrogen, are carving out more and more space in bus passenger transport. On both of these two technologies Solaris, for years, has been at the forefront and at the most important event for the bus & coach world, namely Busworld 2023, Solaris presented the latest addition to its zero-emission vehicle portfolio, the electric Urbino 18. This vehicle represents a significant step in the development of e-bus technology, offering comfortable and safe travel for passengers and drivers while providing impressive range and excellent operating parameters.
Solaris Urbino 18, a new driveline architecture
The Urbino 18 electric bus stands out due to its new design, which doesn’t include a conventional engine tower. The articulated bus features a modular driveline with components placed on the roof and in the rear of the vehicle, maximizing passenger capacity and facilitating servicing. This solution provides a great deal of flexibility when it comes to roof arrangement options, and the maximum number of passengers that may get on the Urbino 18 electric bus amounts to 145 persons (for an overall mass of 29 t).
Range up to 600 km
Equipped with a 240 kW asynchronous motor and the latest generation Solaris High Energy batteries, the Urbino 18 electric bus boasts a high energy density, which, in turn, means a longer range while maintaining a low battery weight. The manufacturer offers carriers different configurations of battery capacity, all of which are roof-mounted. Using the maximum number of batteries, with a total capacity of over 800 kWh, allows to achieve a driving range of a 600 km based on energy consumption in e-SORT 2 tests) of zero-emission travel. The bus can be charged using various charging modes, including a plug-in, a pantograph, or an inverted pantograph.
Safety first
The Urbino 18 electric bus fulfills all safety standards, including new GSR2 and cybersecurity requirements that will enter into force in July 2024 for newly-registered vehicles. The new design, combined with high-efficiency batteries, advanced Adas systems, and safety-enhancing solutions, defines the Urbino 18 electric.
