Solaris Bus & Coach has delivered the first of 137 ordered H₂ buses to Bologna and Ferrara, Italy. This marks the initial phase of a large-scale order placed by the transport operator TPER at the end of 2023. Under this contract, Solaris will supply 137 Urbino 12 H₂ buses for Bologna and to Ferrara.

Bologna and Ferrara are undertaking H₂ bus deployment projects. TPER, the primary public transport operator in the Emilia-Romagna region, has received the first 37 of 137 H₂ buses ordered for Bologna and Ferrara.

"We are honored to contribute to such an ambitious project. The delivery of the first H₂ buses to Bologna represents a significant milestone in the advancement of sustainable public transport. The Urbino 12 H₂ buses will help improve air quality, enhancing the well-being of residents in the city and the region," said Javier Iriarte, CEO of Solaris Bus & Coach, during the official presentation of the H₂ buses in Bologna.

The Solaris Urbino 12 H₂ is a fully zero-emission vehicle, offering quiet operation and an environmentally sustainable solution. The fuel cell generates electric power by combining H₂ with oxygen, producing only water vapor as a byproduct. The 70-kW fuel cell draws H₂ from five roof-mounted tanks with a total capacity of 37.5 kg of H₂.

The Urbino H₂ buses for TPER feature a fully low-floor design and are equipped with air conditioning, a monitoring system, and a platform for wheelchairs and strollers. The Bologna fleet is configured in two versions: 70 three-door H₂ Urbino 12 buses for urban routes and 67 two-door vehicles for city and suburban lines connecting the cities with its metropolitan area.

The deployment of H₂ buses in Bologna is the result of a strategic partnership between TPER, the city authorities, and Solaris Bus & Coach. The investment in these modern vehicles is co-financed by EU funds from the PNRR plan and TPER’s own resources.

Interest in H₂ technology is steadily increasing across Europe, particularly in the zero-emission transport sector. As the largest manufacturer of H₂ buses in Europe, Solaris offers both 12- and 18-meter models. To date, the company has delivered over 430 H₂ buses to cities in Italy, Poland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Spain, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Latvia, and France. An additional 400 H₂ buses have been ordered or are currently being delivered across the continent. Besides Bologna and Ferrara, Urbino H₂ buses can also be seen on Italian roads in Venice, Bolzano, Modena, Mantua and Pescara.