Tests to select the Bus of the Year 2025 took place in May in Kladno, near Prague (Czech Republic). Five excellent candidates were competing for the most important distinction in the bus industry: Ebusco 3.0 articulated, MAN Lion’s City 12 E LE, Mercedes-Benz eCitaro FCV, Solaris Urbino 18 Hydrogen and VDL Citea LE-122.

The vehicles were parked at the ČSAD MHD Kladno depot, from where they set off each day on a test route 14.3 km long in the city’s industrial area. This included a suburban section, several railway level crossings and a short section with potholes and bumps, which was a challenge for the otherwise quite comfortable vehicles. Braking and acceleration tests were performed separately, as well as measurements of the noise level inside.

The Bus Euro Test 2024 was all about zero emissions, with a mix of battery electric propulsion, batteries plus a hydrogen fuel cell system and 100% hydrogen propulsion. Two of the buses relied on light construction, with the batteries mounted in the chassis: the articulated Ebusco 3.0 and the VDL Citea LE-122. The latter, configured with a low entry, takes it a step further outside the city, being ready for suburban applications, as does the MAN Lion’s City 12 E LE, both vehicles having the rear section arranged with more seats, necessary for longer journeys. Mercedes-Benz presented the eCitaro FCV model with a hydrogen auxiliary system, while Solaris played the hydrogen card with its Urbino 18 articulated bus with Canadian Ballard propulsion solution. The competition was tight, but in the end, only one vehicle received the title of Bus of the Year 2025. And the members of the International Bus of the Year jury chose the Solaris Urbino 18 Hydrogen. So, after winning Bus of the Year 2017 with Urbino 12 electric, the first battery bus to win this prestigious award, Solaris makes another premiere, with the first hydrogen bus to win Bus of the Year 2025, eight years later.

The vehicle is the closest to the traditional diesel bus in respect of propulsion and autonomy solution offering a range of over 600km. The Ballard-supplied FCV system is 100 kW and produces on-board power, guaranteed for more than 30,000 operating hours. Operation covers a generous range of weather conditions, from -30 to +50 degrees C, with cold starting from -25 degrees Celsius without the need to preheat the system. H2, compressed to 350 bar at 15 degrees Celsius, is stored in eight tanks located on the roof, which have a total capacity of 51.2 kg. Separately, the vehicle comes equipped with Solaris High Power traction batteries of 60 kWh, mounted in the middle part of the roof, used to store also the energy recovered during braking. This is then used to support the FCV system. The electric motor that propels the articulated bus has an output of 240 kW and a peak torque of 2,222 Nm. Being centrally mounted above the rear axle and practically pushing the vehicle, it gives optimum ride performance, driver and passenger comfort and quite good handling.

Thanks to the modular construction and the new platform, specially developed for zero-emission buses, the total transport capacity of the Urbino 18 Hydrogen is 140 passengers, of which 52 on seats. An important advantage of hydrogen propulsion is the short refueling time, of only 20 minutes, for an autonomy of 600 km, without any special training for drivers. It can also operate in any weather and temperature conditions, without impact on autonomy. Solaris has already delivered 200 Hydrogen buses, and another 600 are on order. It should be noted that the market in 2023 for this type of vehicle was 172 units.

The tested bus was equipped with all the safety systems required by GSR, as well as the MobilEye Shield+ camera system instead of the classic mirrors. The Polish/Spanish manufacturer has developed a new, optimized platform for zero-emission vehicles with a new design of the front section and electronics. The absence of the rear engine tower allows optimal weight distribution on board, more light, and increased seating capacity. All features related to the Hydrogen system are located on the roof. They are equipped with sensors and safety features, including an RD valve that controls the flow of Hydrogen and releases it to the atmosphere if potential problems are identified.

The interior is carefully executed, with attention given to detail and good quality materials. Two monitors, located in the front and in the middle, provide useful information to passengers. The driver’s workstation is stylish, with access door covered with black glass and centrally inscribed Solaris logo. The new digital dashboard is ergonomically designed, the interior airy, and the rear-view mirrors have been replaced with video cameras. A round, clock-like display, centrally located on the dashboard, shows the driver if the bus is correctly positioned in the lane and if it respects the speed limit. Separately, a digital screen positioned to the right of the driver provides useful information about the route. The jury appreciated the two-tone interior, the black of the seats contrasting with the beige of the wooden floor. The four access doors, made of glass from top to bottom, as well as the wide windscreen at the rear contribute to the brightness inside.

The Jury would like to take the opportunity to thank all the manufacturers that took part in the Bus Euro Test this year. All the vehicles in the competition showcased top technology and very interesting design features. For us it is clear that electric technology is ready to take a step further outside the cities, whereas for urban transportation it is already adaptable to all transport systems, with low operating costs and zero emissions. Also, we would like to thank our long time partners, Busworld and ZF, for all their logistics support, plus ČSAD MHD Kladno, the public authorities there and all the local partners that helped our colleague Michal Štengl, from Magazín Transport a Logistika, to organize the tests this year.

Last but not least, congratulations to Solaris Bus & Coach for putting together a very well built Urbino 18 Hydrogen, the Bus of the Year 2025.