In early September, Regionalverkehr Köln GmbH (RVK) introduced the first Solaris articulated hydrogen buses into Cologne’s public transport network.
These 18-metre-long buses are part of an order placed in September 2023 for 18 hydrogen vehicles.
Eight of these Solaris Urbino 18 hydrogen buses have already joined RVK’s fleet, which now includes a total of 46 Solaris hydrogen buses.
With further deliveries on the way, RVK’s hydrogen fleet is set to become the largest in Europe. An additional 20 hydrogen buses—comprising nine 12-metre and eleven 18-metre models—are expected from Solaris following an order placed in March 2024.
Once these deliveries are complete, RVK will operate 84 hydrogen-powered Solaris buses.
The newly delivered articulated buses are equipped with a 100 kW fuel cell system, capable of storing over 50 kilograms of hydrogen in eight tanks on the roof. This design allows for increased passenger capacity by eliminating the need for a traditional engine compartment.
The buses also boast modern features, including an efficient air conditioning system with heat pump functionality, an advanced monitoring system, and driver assistance technologies.
Hydrogen buses provide several key advantages for public transport operators, including zero-emission operation, large passenger capacity, long range, and short refuelling times. These attributes are essential for connecting rural areas with Cologne, where RVK transports significant numbers of daily commuters.
