Urbino electric

Clean electric mobility for sustainable transport - this is the Solaris Urbino electric. The innvoative electric bus is based on the 8.9 m Urbino family midibus. But it differs from its conventional counterparts not just in the choice of clean electric drive: the dynamic exterior and the attractive passenger saloon are further defining characteristics of the Solaris Urbino electric.

It is extremely silent, emission-free and distinguished by its attractive, modern design - this is the Solaris Urbino electric in a nutshell.

At the heart of its power system is a 120 kW four-pole asynchronous traction motor supplied by Vossloh Kiepe. Energy is stored in two batteries weighing 700 kg each. These liquid-cooled lithium-ion batteries have a rated voltage of 600 V and the capacity to store 120 kWh.

The battery capacity gives the Solaris Urbino electric a range of up to 100 km and a maximum speed of 50 km/h. The batteries are the source of "fuel" not only for the power transmission system but they also provide energy for all auxiliary systems, including power steering, heating, ventilation and door control. Any systems which commonly use compressors driven by the combustion engine have been replaced with electric solutions.

Batteries are charged with a Walter plug-in connection. A full recharge from the 3x400 V, 63 A terminal takes as little as four hours.

One of the main challenges for Solaris’s engineers was to reduce the vehicle’s weight to increase range and to compensate for the relatively high weight of the traction batteries.

The side panels have been replaced with carbon fibre panels which are both extremely lightweight and durable. Carbon fibre was also used for the rear cover of the engine and battery compartment. Additionally, considerable weight reductions were achieved by the use of thinner than usual glazing and new material for the bus floor, where mahogany was used instead of plywood.

Another new material - foamed ACM - was used for the air duct vents, with passenger seats also built to a lighter design. Further pounds were saved by the specification of aluminium rather than of steel wheel rims. In addition, the bus needs no fluids and has no need for a fuel tank, which brings down the weight by another 300 kg.

Even with the 1400 kg traction batteries, the Solaris Urbino electric is only marginally heavier than its conventional counterparts thanks to the innovative lightweight construction employed.

The all-electric drive train reduces the space required for the engine compartment. This enabled the rear axle to be moved back by 310 mm, increasing the low-floor space inside the bus and allowing additional passenger seats to be fitted.

All internal and external lamps and lighting use energy-efficient LED technology throughout.

Drivers of the Solaris Urbino electric benefit from a touch-screen dashboard which includes up-to-the-moment parametres of the electric traction system as well as battery charge levels. All conventional functions have also been included on the touch screens, resulting in an uncluttered and ergonomic cab layout.