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Successful Summer for Switzerland’s First Hybrid Bus
Lenzburg has become the first Swiss town to introduce a hybrid bus into general operation. The bus, a Solaris Urbino 18 Hybrid, entered service in the town, in the canton of Aargau, over the summer.
Built by the Polish bus manufacturer Solaris Bus & Coach, the Solaris Urbino 18 Hybrid is so-called because it is 18 metres long and uses a hybrid diesel/electric drive system.
It is Europe’s first mass produced hybrid bus, powered by a combination of a Cummins 340 hp, 8.9 litre diesel engine with an Allison electric drive system.
Switzerland is a pioneer in environmentally friendly public transport. It was the first European country to introduced obligatory CRT particle filters for all public transport, including buses.
The innovative Solaris Urbino Hybrid was launched last year at the IAA international vehicle show in Hannover, Germany. The first unit was bought by the Dresden municipal transportation company.
Solaris Bus and Coach only began exporting buses in 2000. Export sales now account for 80% of its production and it is present in most European markets.
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