New midibus model in Solaris e-bus family. Urbino 9 LE electric launched!

The 9-meter Urbino 9 LE electric joins Solaris electric bus family. The new vehicle represents a new add in a battery-electric range that goes now from 9 to 24 meter.

The world première of the new electric vehicle took place at the end of September 2021. The 9-metre, low-entry Urbino 9 LE Electric bus was unveiled by the manufacturer during an online launch – the second ever in the company’s history (the first was broadcasted in October 2020 on the occasion of the launch of Urbino 15 LE electric). The new e-midibus has another thing in common with the 15-meter: it can be homologated both in Class I and Class II.

With all the features of the 4th-generation Urbinos, the Solaris Urbino 9 LE Electric bus, with its dynamic bodyline, has been designed with the idea that «stylish design and extremely comfortable interior encourage people to use public transport in their daily life», Solaris points out. 

Solaris Urbino 9 LE electric, 27 seats on board

Passengers are offered as many as 27 seats and board through doors arranged in a 1-2 layout. It is also possible to fit the bus with dedicated spaces for passengers with disabilities or those travelling with prams or pushchairs. What is more, the vehicle features seats fitted with ISOFIX, i. e. a system that enables the securing of child seats. 

Alongside the Urbino 15 LE Electric bus, this vehicle is yet another option in Solaris‘s electric range that meets the requirements for both vehicle classes I and II. Its compact dimensions will allow it to access even hard-to-reach locations. Its type approval for vehicle class II and ease in adjusting the bus to specific norms, e. g. Bus Nordic, open up a wealth of opportunities to tweak the interior to customers’ needs, including by providing space for passengers in wheelchairs. 

Solaris Urbino 9 LE Electric: technical features

The heart of the Urbino 9 LE electric bus is an electric central motor boasting over 170 kW. The motor is liquid-cooled, and the driving power is transmitted to the second axle of the vehicle. The propulsion system is powered by energy stored in batteries installed in the rear as well as on the roof. Solaris has decided to offer its customers the choice between Solaris High Power batteries, designed for fast high power charging, and Solaris High Energy batteries with higher energy density, which are characterised by higher capacity and are mainly recharged at night. 

«A new drive type and additional energy storage facilities allow this 9-metre bus to cover much longer distances than was the case with its predecessor, i. e. the Urbino 8,9 LE electric bus. This will make it possible for operators to plan zero-emission routes not only within city confines but also beyond them», Solaris underlines. 

Also inverted pantograph is available

The batteries are recharged conventionally using a plug-in connection. In addition, there is an option to mount a pantograph, one of three types, on the roof. Apart from a conventional one, customers have new fast-charging solutions at their disposal. The manufacturer offers an inverted pantograph, which up until now hasn’t been available for the 8,9 version. 

Another possible option is a completely new type of pantograph, with two bends, which thus reaches slightly higher than competing solutions. 

The Urbino 9 LE electric bus is an environmentally-friendly combination of safety, comfort and style. The newly released model offers a possibility to install in it any type of air conditioning out of all those available in the range of the manufacturer, including air conditioning with a heat pump. In order to reach the right vehicle temperature, the device uses heat drawn in from outside. This allows it to boost the energy efficiency of the vehicle and directly translates to a longer driving range. 

What about safety?

The new Urbino 9 LE electric may be fitted with handrails with an antibacterial layer, disinfectant dispensers and a closed driver cabin. The new electric Solaris model boasts innovative systems to further improve the safety of passengers and the driver. An interactive driver’s panel combines numerous advanced safety features and provides access to automatic advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). The wide array of solutions includes, among other things, the MirrorEye system, i. e. a set of innovative cameras that replace conventional mirrors and show the driver the area directly around the bus. The problem of blind spots has been solved in turn thanks to the Mobileye Shield+ system, which notifies the driver using audio and visual alerts about any pedestrians or vehicles around the bus. 

What is more, the Urbino 9 LE electric is fully adapted to be integrated with the Solaris’s own remote fleet management system, dubbed eSConnect, which ensures full telemetry, data analysis and the servicing not only of defects that have already appeared, but also the prediction of incidents that might occur in the near future.