Polish electric bus manufacturer Solaris has secured an order to deliver 73 Trollino 18 articulated trolleybuses to the city of Vilnius, Lithuania, as the capital moves forward with its public transport electrification strategy.
The €65.2 million agreement, signed last week, includes battery-equipped trolleybuses capable of operating up to 20 kilometres without an overhead line connection. Charging will be possible via traditional overhead infrastructure or overnight at depots, offering greater route flexibility.
The new Trollino 18 vehicles will feature several passenger-oriented upgrades, including USB charging ports, air conditioning, bicycle racks, and security cameras. The first units are expected to begin service in the third quarter of 2026, with full delivery completed by the end of that year, according to Vilnius Public Transport CEO Ignas Degutis.
Vilnius Mayor Valdas Benkunskas said the procurement aligns with a broader trend in European cities seeking to modernize and electrify their public transport fleets. The new vehicles will replace older Solaris models delivered to Vilnius beginning in 2004.
This order marks the second phase of Vilnius’ trolleybus network upgrades. In 2024 and 2025, the city added 91 Skoda trolleybuses that are currently in operation.
Measuring 18 meters in length, the Solaris Trollino 18 has become a preferred model among European transit agencies. In 2023, Solaris held a 60% share of the European trolleybus market, having delivered more than 2,500 vehicles to 70 cities across the continent.