Poznan invests in fuel cell buses: 25 vehicles ordered to Solaris

Poznan public transport operator MPK Poznań has purchased 25 hydrogen-fuelled buses that will be supplied by Solaris Bus & Coach, whose headquarters are close to the Polish city. The tender was for 15 vehicles, but the carrier exercised its option of extending the order by another 10 buses. These fuel cell buses will join the fleet of MPK in the second half of 2023. This is by far the largest order for Urbino hydrogen buses.

The investment has been subsidised as part of the “Green Public Transport” programme, launched by the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management.

MPK Poznań already boasts 58 electric Solaris buses, which account for nearly 20% of its fleet. 25 Urbino 12 hydrogen buses will join Poznań’s zero-emission fleet in the second half of 2023.

Solaris Urbino fuel cell for Poznan

The Urbino 12 hydrogen model, ordered by MPK Poznań, is fuelled solely with hydrogen converted to electricity in the fuel cell. The fuel cell acts as a miniature power plant aboard the vehicle drawing fuel from hydrogen tanks located on the roof. The bus can cover at least 350 km with full tanks, Solaris says, and their refuelling takes about 10 minutes, depending on the infrastructure.

The 12-metre buses will feature 70 kW fuel cells that draw hydrogen from five tanks with a total capacity of 1560 litres. The hydrogen-powered Solaris buses will also feature a relatively small Solaris High Power traction battery, to support the fuel cell when the demand for electricity increases. The drive unit will be a central electric motor.

The vehicles will offer 31 seats, including 10 with increased accessibility, i. e. without any additional steps. What is more, they will boast a bay for wheelchair-bound passengers and those with pushchairs or prams. The buses will refill with hydrogen at a hydrogen refuelling station located at a gas station on Warszawska Street in Poznan.

30% of Poznan bus fleet to be zero emission by 2028

“Poznań is investing in clean technologies, in innovation and in the future. This huge order puts the carrier among the most modern public transport operators in Europe, those that are focused first and foremost on clean air in cities and improving the quality of life for the next generation of their residents. The hydrogen Urbino 12 hydrogen emits only water vapor. Soon, the advantages and comfort of traveling by hydrogen Solaris will be available to Poznan residents,” Javier Calleja said during the signing of the contract.

“This will be an absolute novelty in the fleet of carrier MPK Poznań. We hold great expectations with regard to these vehicles and I strongly believe that they will successfully play their part. What is more, the purchase brings us closer to meeting e-mobility standards imposed on us. We need 30% of our fleet to be zero-emission in 2028. Now zero-emission vehicles make up 18% of our fleet, but after the delivery of the hydrogen buses in question, this number will rise to about 25%, as alongside the supply of zero-emission vehicles, those meeting the lowest emission standards are decommissioned”, said Krzysztof Dostatni, CEO of MPK Poznań.

“Public transport in Poznań is entering the hydrogen age. Soon, the fleet of carrier MPK Poznań will be joined by e-buses with a hydrogen fuel cell that acts as a “power plant” aboard the bus. This is a historic moment for the city’s public transport which is becoming increasingly environmentally friendly. At the same time, this marks another important step on the path to climate neutrality which we are striving to achieve consistently by implementing and supporting green measures and by promoting environmentally friendly attitudes among the residents of our city”, said Jacek Jaśkowiak, Mayor of Poznań.