Solaris has unveiled the Urbino 40 electric at APTA TRANSform & EXPO 2026 in Chicago, marking the manufacturer’s entry into the US market.
The battery-electric bus was presented on 5 October at Solaris’ booth. The Urbino 40 electric has been developed specifically for the North American market.
The vehicle is built on a dedicated electric platform and incorporates features designed to meet local transit requirements. It has a roof-mounted battery system to support daily transit operations and range requirements while simplifying maintenance.
The bus also features an integrated Battery Thermal Management System (BTMS), an energy-efficient HVAC system and vehicle monitoring and battery integration technologies developed by Solaris. Advanced driver assistance systems are also included.
The Urbino 40 electric has a fully enclosed driver compartment, exterior rear-view cameras and cornering lights. Its cockpit has been designed around driver ergonomics and comfort.
The passenger area includes wide aisles and multifunctional spaces for passengers with accessibility requirements. The layout is intended to support passenger movement while allowing maintenance access.
Solaris will offer 40-foot and 60-foot zero-emission buses in the North American market. The manufacturer’s first battery-electric bus deliveries in the US are planned for King County Metro in Seattle and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA). Solaris is also supplying trolleybuses to TransLink in Vancouver, Canada.
The company is part of the CAF Group, which has an established presence in the US rail market. Solaris’ entry into North America therefore adds a zero-emission bus portfolio to the group’s existing rail activities in the region.
Solaris has delivered around 30,000 buses to 900 cities across 34 countries. Its current portfolio includes battery-electric and hydrogen fuel-cell buses, as well as trolleybuses.
The Urbino 40 electric is being presented at Solaris Booth 419 during APTA TRANSform & EXPO in Chicago.
