The buses will operate on RVK’s lines in Cologne. Deliveries are scheduled for the second half of 2024.
The Urbino 18 hydrogen buses for Cologne will feature an electric central motor and a modular drive. The lack of a conventional engine compartment will enable a reconfigured seating arrangement inside the bus and maximizing passenger capacity.
Equipped with a 100 kW fuel cell set, these buses will utilize more than 50 kilograms of hydrogen gas stored in 8 tanks on the vehicle’s roof, ensuring a guaranteed range of 350 kilometers regardless of weather and topographic conditions. Additionally, to meet increased electricity demand, the fuel cell will be supported by two Solaris High Power batteries, each with a capacity of 30 kWh.
The newly ordered buses will include high-efficiency air conditioning with heat pump heating, advanced monitoring and passenger information system. Systems supporting the driver’s work include the eSConnect monitoring and remote fleet management system, as well as the MobilEye Shield+ system, designed to detect objects near the bus, ensuring enhanced safety for passengers and pedestrians.
The Urbino 18 hydrogen is the second offering in Solaris’ hydrogen portfolio. Its shorter version, the Urbino 12 hydrogen, has been on the market since 2019. More than 120 vehicles of this type already support emission-free public transport in 15 European cities, and as many more are in production. The articulated Urbino 18 hydrogen model has been offered since last year.
