Norwegian capital Oslo is leading the way in the transition to zero-emission public transport with the introduction of 183 new electric buses. The Solaris Urbino 18 vehicles were ordered by transport operator Unibuss, and are the largest order to date for Polish manufacturer Solaris.
The 18-metre-long articulated buses have battery packs with a capacity of 500 kWh and are charged via cable in the depot, which is one of Scandinavia’s largest electric bus depots. The buses have a range of up to 250 kilometres, meaning they do not need to be recharged during daytime operations, with overnight depot charging being sufficient.
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The buses will be used on routes in the city centre, including the busy routes 20, 21, 31 and 37. The operating licence is valid for ten years each, with the option of a four-year extension.
The move is part of a wider effort to make Oslo’s public transport cheaper and better for everyone, regardless of age, ability or income, says Sirin Stav, Councillor for Environment and Transport in Oslo. A further 137 electric buses are scheduled to enter service in December, bringing the total electric bus fleet in the Norwegian capital to 320 vehicles in 2023. This will lead to less noise, climate emissions and air pollution, Stav says.
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Norway is already a leader in the adoption of electric vehicles, with electric cars accounting for around 50% of new car sales in the country. The new electric buses in Oslo will help to reduce emissions from the city’s transport sector, which is responsible for around 60% of Oslo’s CO2 emissions. With more electric buses on the horizon, Oslo is taking a big step towards completely emission-free public transport.
