Solaris revealed the latest iteration of its 12-meter city bus, the Solaris Urbino 12, at the VDV Mobility Move electric bus conference in Berlin. The updated model boasts a revamped drive design, improved batteries, and increased seating capacity.
Gone is the motor tower, replaced by a “modular drivetrain” with components strategically placed on the roof and at the rear of the bus. This redesign allows for better arrangement of elements on the roof and enables upgrades to the passenger compartment. As a result, the new Urbino 12 electric bus now offers seating for up to 41 passengers, seven more than its predecessor. Solaris has refrained from disclosing specific details regarding the drive power.
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The Urbino 12 electric is available with a 200 kW or 160 kW asynchronous motor, or a ZF electric portal axle with 2 x 125 kW, providing various options to suit different needs.
In terms of the battery, Solaris has introduced “new-generation batteries” without divulging specific details on key data characterizing the new battery. However, the maximum total energy content is stated to be over 600 kWh, enabling ranges of more than 600 kilometers. Previously, the Urbino 12 electric offered a maximum of 520 kWh, which was further increased from up to 395 kWh before 2022. ICPT remains the battery supplier, producing ready-to-install battery systems for Solaris, while sourcing battery cells from renowned manufacturers.
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The Urbino 12 electric now boasts a total passenger capacity of 94 people (with the smallest battery option of 300 kWh), corresponding to a permissible total weight of 19.5 tonnes. In countries like France, Italy, and Spain, regulations allow a total weight of up to 20 tonnes to accommodate six additional passengers.
In a similar vein, Solaris unveiled the Urbino 18 electric articulated version with a modular drivetrain and improved batteries at the Busworld trade fair in autumn 2023. This model features an energy content of up to 800 kWh and an output of up to 240 kW, allowing for the transportation of up to 145 passengers (with a total weight of up to 29 tonnes).
