San Francisco’s Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) has ordered six electric buses from Poland’s Solaris, marking one of the company’s most significant steps yet into the U.S. market. The order, consisting of three standard-length buses and three articulated units, brings Solaris’ total U.S. electric bus deliveries to ten.
The procurement stems from a framework agreement Solaris signed with King County Metro in Seattle in late 2024. That initial deal covered four electric buses with options for up to 12 more vehicles available to multiple transit agencies. SFMTA has now exercised six of those options, Solaris said.
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The vehicles ordered for San Francisco are based on a platform tailored for the North American market and compliant with U.S. regulatory requirements. While Solaris did not disclose technical details, it said the platform “will be equipped with the most advanced battery bus technology that Solaris has developed in its 15 years of experience with battery buses.” In Europe, Solaris’ 12-metre Urbino 12 electric bus is available with up to 600 kWh of battery capacity, while the articulated Urbino 18 can be specified with up to 800 kWh.
“This order from San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency marks another milestone in our strategy to enter the U.S. market,” said Agata Stańda, CEO of Solaris Bus & Coach. “We assure them that we will deliver zero-emission battery-electric vehicles that meet all local requirements and offer cutting-edge technology in this segment.”
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Julie Kirschbaum, SFMTA’s Director of Transportation, said the new buses align with the agency’s goals for cleaner and safer mobility. “The Solaris buses offer modern customer amenities that make transit more comfortable and accessible,” she said. “Equally important, these vehicles prioritize operator safety and reliability… This order represents both our commitment to zero-emission technology and our enthusiasm for welcoming innovative partners like Solaris to the U.S. market.”
Solaris, a major supplier of electric buses and trolleybuses in Europe, is seeking to establish North America as a key growth region. Alongside its U.S. electric bus deals, the company has secured trolleybus agreements in Vancouver, Canada.
