BELGIUM
Solaris has won a tender for up to 45 double-articulated Urbino 24 electric buses for the Belgian city of Liège. The initial order will see the delivery of 18 buses, featuring Solaris’ MetroStyle design option. The order represents is the largest yet for double-articulated buses won by the manufacturer to date.
The buses will be operated by the Wallonia region transport company Opérateur de transport de Wallonie (TEC). The first five buses from this order will be delivered in 2025, with the remaining 13 arriving in 2026.
“We are especially delighted to deliver Urbino 24 electric buses in the unique MetroStyle design to Liège. These exceptional zero-emission buses will support sustainable and convenient public transport in the city,” said Olivier Michard, Chief Commercial Officer at Solaris.
Each of the 24-metre electric buses will be powered by two drive axles. Energy will be supplied by next-generation Solaris High Energy batteries, with a total capacity of approximately 800kWh per vehicle. These will be charged via a plug-in connection. The buses will be equipped with multiple driver-assistance systems, including a 270° camera system monitoring the area around the bus, and cameras in place of traditional mirrors. The buses will offer 50 seats, and passengers will have access to USB chargers. The buses will be equipped with Solaris’ eSConnect diagnostic tool, enabling increased operational efficiency and easier maintenance.
The 24-metre model was first unveiled to the public at Busworld Europe in 2019, and was developed exclusively as a zero-emission platform. Solaris has already delivered 50 double-articulated vehicles, including 14 electric models to Aalborg, Denmark, and 36 double-articulated trolleybuses for operators in Prague and Bratislava.
