Zero-emission Solaris buses now in Barcelona and Madrid

Solaris has successfully completed two major contracts for zero-emission buses for leading Spanish operators, delivering 38 hydrogen buses to Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) and 50 electric buses to EMT Madrid. Integrating these buses into urban fleets marks a significant milestone in the ambitious decarbonization plans of both cities.

🟢 BARCELONA: LEADING ZERO-EMISSION TRANSPORT IN SPAIN 

Barcelona is among the first cities in Europe to embrace zero-emission public transport. Years later, the metropolis continues its ambitious fleet transformation plan. With the delivery of 38 hydrogen buses (36 Urbino 12 hydrogen and 2 articulated Urbino 18 hydrogen), Solaris has completed Spain’s largest hydrogen bus order. This achievement enables Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) to fulfill its commitment to having zero-emission vehicles comprise 25% of the city’s bus fleet by the end of 2024. Now, TMB has three fully zero-emission bus lines in the city. 

The president of TMB, Laia Bonet, stated that " with the commissioning of these 38 Solaris we have now reached 46 hydrogen buses, plus the 196 electric buses that the company has in service, makes TMB a benchmark in sustainable mobility”. Bonet has pointed out that "TMB was already a pioneer in circulating the first hydrogen bus in Spain and now continues to lead hydrogen mobility by putting into service the first articulated hydrogen bus in Spain." 

 Barcelona works tirelessly to promote sustainable, green mobility. According to official city data, 85% of trips in Barcelona are already made using public transport, bicycles, or on foot. Computer simulations commissioned by city officials reveal that removing just 15% of cars from Barcelona could reclaim 60% of public space. 

 This task is challenging—decades of city planning prioritized car traffic. To counter this, the city is simultaneously investing in accessible, modern, and efficient public transport and urban infrastructure, including initiatives like "superblocks," special zones where traffic is restricted to residents only. The priority is pedestrians, followed by sustainable urban transport connecting neighborhoods. [READ MORE ABOUT THIS PROJECT HERE]. The city has also launched its first public hydrogen refueling station. Today, Barcelona boasts 196 electric buses and 46 hydrogen buses (among them 81 produced by Solaris), which together account for 25% of the city’s fleet. 

🟢 BARCELONA: HYDROGEN SOLARIS BUSES NOW ON CITY STREETS 

The main energy source for the hydrogen buses ordered by Barcelona is hydrogen, with state-of-the-art fuel cells working as miniature hydrogen power plants. Hydrogen is converted into electricity, which is then supplied to the drivetrain. 

The hydrogen Solaris buses are equipped with advanced fuel cells delivering 70 kW in the Urbino 12 hydrogen model and 100 kW in the articulated Urbino 18 hydrogen version. The vehicles also feature a small Solaris High Power traction battery as a supplementary energy source. The heart of the drivetrain is a central electric motor. Cutting-edge technology, combined with comprehensive safety systems, ensures comfortable, safe, and reliable travel for both drivers and passengers. 

The buses are already operating in regular urban service. 

🟢 MADRID: ZERO-EMISSION FLEET BY 2030 

Madrid is another Spanish city committed to sustainable development and consistently pursuing its ambitious transport goals. The city plans to have a fully zero-emission fleet by 2030. Supporting this objective are the newly delivered Solaris vehicles—50 electric buses in total, including 30 units of 12-meter models and 20 buses Urbino 9 LE electric.  

 In December 2022, the company announced the decommissioning of its last diesel-powered vehicle. Before the end of the year, one in every five buses that circulate in Madrid will be electric. By the end of 2025, the capital's City Council expects that they will be one in four. And in 2030, the plan of the Urban Planning, Mobility and Environment Area directed by Borja Carabante is for the entire fleet of the Municipal Transport Company (EMT) to be 100% electric.  

“If the objectives are met, by the end of this year the Spanish capital would be the European city with the largest fleet of electric urban buses”, Borja Carabante, Delegate of Urban Planning, Environment and Mobility of the City Council of Madrid. 

EMT’s strategic plan for 2025 also emphasizes clean energy sources, including photovoltaic installations and green hydrogen. 

🟢 MADRID: ELECTRIC SOLARIS BUSES NOW ON THE STREETS

The electric Solaris buses are powered by a central motor supplied with energy from Solaris High Energy batteries. These buses can be charged both by pantograph and by plug-in. In both models, the driver’s cab is designed to meet EMT standards, ensuring an ergonomic and safe workspace supported by integrated assistance systems. Features include cameras that replace traditional mirrors. 

Additionally, EMT Madrid ordered the eSConnect service to maximize the potential of its battery-powered fleet. This system enhances diagnostic and maintenance capabilities, while also simplifying precise planning for specific route needs. 

Following the completion of the latest contract, EMT Madrid’s fleet includes 360 Solaris vehicles, comprising 250 models powered by compressed natural gas (CNG) and 110 battery-powered buses. 

🟢 SOLARIS: A EUROPEAN E-MOBILITY LEADER   

Solaris is a European leader in e-mobility, ranking first in total zero-emission bus deliveries—both electric and hydrogen—since 2012. Our range of zero emission vehicles also includes Trollino trolleybuses. In total, we have delivered more than 5,000 of electric and hydrogen buses as well as trolleybuses to 24 countries and 260 cities across Europe. 

FRIENDLY REMINDER: The full version of Solaris Customer Magazine is accessible at www.magazine.solarisbus.com    

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