This is the third zero-emission bus in Bolesławiec. As early as February this year, Bolesławiec joined the group of Polish cities where electric buses are in use. At that time, two Urbino 8.9 LE electric buses took to the city’s streets.
The new addition to Bolesławiec’s MZK fleet is also a Solaris Urbino electric. It is a quiet, fully zero-emission bus that guarantees low operating costs.
The Urbino 8.9 LE electric bus has a 160 kW motor. The energy needed to power it is stored in batteries with a total capacity of 211.2 kWh. A 60 kW charger was purchased to charge the batteries. Charging takes place via a plug-in connector.
The bus can carry 60 passengers at one time, including 24 seated passengers. Among other features, the bus has destination displays adapted to the needs of people with visual impairments and a ramp for people with mobility disabilities. The passenger area contains USB ports that allow passengers to charge their mobile devices.
The buses also feature a passenger information system, including a video surveillance system and a fire detection and suppression system. The bus is also equipped with hands-free devices that announce stops. The bus can travel approximately 200 km without recharging its batteries.
The agreement for the purchase of an electric bus for public transport in Bolesławiec was signed in December 2021. It was signed by Bolesławiec mayor Piotr Roman and Waldemar Wlazło, Sales Director for the South-Western Region at Solaris Bus & Coach S.A. The price for fulfilling the agreement (the bus plus charger) is PLN 2,642,040.
Mayor Piotr Roman recalls that free public transport has operated in Bolesławiec since June 2018 and is being maintained despite the difficult budgetary situation. Zero-emission buses and free public transport are important elements in efforts to improve air quality in the city—the bus can replace around 20 passenger cars. This means that approximately 400 fewer vehicles may take to the city’s streets during rush hour.
– Bolesławiec’s public transport carries 3 million passengers annually – says Andrzej Jagiera, president of MZK in Bolesławiec. In the near future, MZK plans to install a 50 kW photovoltaic system. The use of electric buses in Bolesławiec so far has shown that their operating costs are lower than those of traditional combustion-engine vehicles.