Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) continues to invest in emission-free public transport. Solaris will supply the city with 36 Urbino 12 hydrogen buses and two units of articulated hydrogen buses this year. The purchase, worth 25 million euros, is funded by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan and the European JIVE project.
The city opted for zero-emission buses powered by electricity that comes from hydrogen technology. The order includes 36 12-metre hydrogen Urbino buses and two units of 18-metre articulated hydrogen buses. Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona already owns over 130 Solaris buses.
"The Urbino 12 hydrogen buses will be equipped with high-tech fuel cell kits with a capacity of 70 kW. In the articulated version, the fuel cells have an output of 100 kW. The vehicles will also have a relatively small Solaris High Power traction battery performing an auxiliary function. The heart of the vehicle will be the central traction electric motor," Solaris officials say.
The vehicles will incorporate modern solutions that are familiar to Barcelona passengers and TMB employees. An efficient air conditioning system should ensure a comfortable ride on hot days. The vehicle will also be equipped with on-board USB ports and there will also be features to make drivers' jobs easier and increase road safety. Of particular note is the eMirror system consisting of cameras that replace conventional side mirrors. All vehicles ordered will also be equipped with Mobileye Shield+ to minimise the risk of collisions with pedestrians or cyclists.
Solaris vehicles first joined the TMB fleet in Barcelona in 2015. Barcelona was also one of the first cities to put electric Urbino 18 buses on the streets. The carrier has regularly returned to this model through orders in 2018 and 2020. Now, Solaris' hydrogen buses will reach Barcelona for the first time.
In total, Solaris has delivered more than 900 buses to Spain, including 5 hydrogen Urbino 12 units to Palma de Mallorca.
Source: Solaris
