Poland: city of Jaworzno trials Solaris Urbino 12 hydrogen bus

The Polish city of Jaworzno has started testing one of the most technologically advanced Solaris vehicles, the Urbino 12 hydrogen bus. The trials will allow the public transport operator PKM Jaworzno learn more about hydrogen technology in urban transport. The bus is serving the most commonly used routes in Jaworzno, 303 and 307, connecting the largest residential districts of the city. It will operate 7 days a week, all day long. Hydrogen refilling will take place at a mobile station run by Air Products.

“I was very glad to hear that the possibilities of this state-of-the-art vehicle will be put on trial in Jaworzno. The tests will last four weeks, which will enable the city to thoroughly acquaint itself with all the functionalities that the Urbino 12 hydrogen offers for everyday urban traffic. Let us recall that Jaworzno was a trailblazer when it comes to fleet electrification in Poland and it is even by European standards. Now, it has a chance to become a leader in hydrogen, another advanced technology for the zero-emission transport of the future. I believe that today nobody doubts any more that in the modern world hydrogen is one of the key pillars in public transport’s transformation,” said Petros Spinaris, member of the Management Board of Solaris Bus & Coach for Sales, Marketing and After Sales.

“It is very important to us that Jaworzno be perceived as a place that supports new technologies and is open to investors and new residents. Efficient public transport is a pivotal aspect when it comes to the functioning of the urban organism. According to regularly conducted public opinion surveys, local residents appreciate the high quality of our transport services. Over 80% of the city’s inhabitants use public transport and 88% approve of the introduction and development of the local electric vehicle fleet,” commented Paweł Silbert, Mayor of Jaworzno.

“We hope that the experience gathered during the trials will enable us to successfully apply for external funding for further fleet modernization. In the near future, we will be the first to announce a date as of which a large city, like Jaworzno, will no longer be served by diesel buses,” added Zbigniew Nosal, CEO of PKM Jaworzno.

The basic equipment featured on the hydrogen-powered Urbino buses includes ultra-modern packs of 70 kW fuel cells and five composite tanks for hydrogen storage, with a total capacity of 1560 l, placed on the bus roof, as well as two e-motors of 125 kW each. Hydrogen stored in gaseous form in tanks is directed to a fuel cell where electricity is produced as a result of a reaction whereby hydrogen combines with oxygen. This electricity is then transferred to the driveline. Due to the technology applied, the bus is capable of covering 350 km on a single refill, and the sole by-products generated during the process are heat and steam.

Thanks to the Urbino 12 hydrogen, a model that generates absolutely no local emissions, being made available for test rides, Jaworzno will be able to gain invaluable experience regarding the use of this advanced technology. The test’s aim is to determine real-world hydrogen consumption during intensive operation of the bus with passengers on board, as well as to estimate the necessary frequency and time of refueling. The vehicle’s behavior in low temperatures will also be tested. The trials will show if this technology can be applied in future as the next step in the development of completely green public transport.

https://www.ngvjournal.com/s1-news/c3-vehicles/poland-city-of-jaworzno-trials-solaris-urbino-12-hydrogen-bus/

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