Szczecin is expanding its electric bus fleet with a new order for 20 articulated vehicles, solidifying the Polish city’s commitment to electrified public transit. The city has ordered 20 additional Urbino 18 electric buses from Solaris, with deliveries scheduled for 2027 and 2028. The transport company Szczecińskie Przedsiębiorstwo Autobusowe Klonowica (SPAK) will operate the new units, which will be stationed at the company’s depot on Klonowica Street. The operator will manage the daily operations of the vehicles until they are fully integrated into the public network.
Technical specifications and features
The 18-metre-long buses are equipped with High Energy batteries and support charging via both plug-in and pantograph. This hybrid charging method allows for opportunity charging at equipped terminal stops, offering flexibility for long urban and suburban routes. The vehicles are designed to accommodate up to 120 passengers, featuring 35 seats with 11 accessible from the low-floor area. Standard equipment includes air conditioning, a passenger information system, and various driver assistance systems like turning and blind-spot assistants, intelligent speed assistance, and systems for detecting fatigue.
Solaris plans to install photovoltaic modules on the bus roofs to power auxiliary systems, particularly during layovers. The manufacturer has also supplied the city with its eSConnect fleet management system for remote diagnostics and vehicle monitoring. The auxiliary systems rely on electricity generated by the roof-mounted photovoltaic panels to maintain functionality while the bus is stationary at terminals. The fleet management system allows operators to monitor vehicle status remotely, ensuring efficient maintenance and operational oversight across the fleet.
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Despite the full order, Solaris has not disclosed the specific capacity of the batteries, the power output of the drivetrain, or the energy savings expected from the rooftop solar system. The manufacturer has chosen not to provide technical specifications regarding the battery capacity, which determines the vehicle’s range. Similarly, details regarding the electric drivetrain’s power output and the expected energy efficiency gains from the rooftop solar installation remain unspecified in the company’s announcement.
Expansion and fleet context
This order adds to a significant history between Szczecin and Solaris. The manufacturer has delivered nearly 200 buses to the city to date, including 17 hybrid vehicles. With the new 20 units, the total number of electric buses in Szczecin will rise to 54, following a 2024 contract for 14 electric buses that included four Urbino 12s and ten articulated Urbino 18s. Previously, the fleet was set to grow to 30 vehicles after those deliveries. The addition of these 20 vehicles increases the count from the previous 34 electric buses already delivered to the city.
The city’s fleet transition is not exclusively battery-electric. Szczecin recently ordered twelve Urbino 18 mild-hybrid buses. Solaris is also manufacturing 44 hybrid buses for the second Szczecin operator, SPAD, scheduled for delivery in 2027 and 2028. While the current order significantly expands the electric fleet, the city continues to invest in hybridized vehicles in parallel. This dual approach suggests a phased strategy where the city manages the transition while maintaining reliability across its bus network. The continued investment in hybrid options alongside the electric expansion indicates a balanced approach to modernizing public transport infrastructure.