LATVIA
Polish manufacturer Solaris continues to win new orders for its zero-emission vehicles across Europe. Recently, a pair of Urbino 12 electric vehicles were delivered to operator VTU in Valmiera, Latvia, whilst operator Valsts Asinsdonoru Centrs in Riga received an Urbino 8.9 LE electric bus which has been fitted out as a mobile blood collection station.
The two electric buses for VTU are part of a project financed by the European Union. The 12-metre electric buses are equipped with Solaris High Energy batteries with a capacity of over 420 kWh and are capable of being charged via a plug-in interface or a pantograph. They are fitted with ADAS automatic driver assistance systems, including cameras instead of mirrors. The city already has a number of Urbino 12 hybrids in service.
The Urbino 8.9 LE electric blood collection point has been adapted to its specialist medical requirements with two zones for blood donors, a doctor’s office, a reception area and a small catering point. The small, zero-emission vehicle was chosen to allow easy operation in urban areas such as shopping centres, sports halls and similar places where traditional combustion engine powered vehicles cannot access.
