HYDROGEN REVOLUTION

As one of the 100 European cities participating in the EU Mission “Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities,” Bologna is consistently developing sustainable public transport. The city authorities support the ecological transformation by investing in modern, zero-emission transport solutions and expanding infrastructure to support decarbonization. 

Thanks to support from European and national funds, Bologna has allocated significant resources to purchase 137 Solaris hydrogen buses, promoting sustainable mobility and emission reduction. Additional financial support for this initiative comes from the city budget and TPER. The deployment of the hydrogen fleet is a key element of the city’s Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP), which aims to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

We are honored to contribute to such an ambitious project. The delivery of the first hydrogen buses to Bologna represents a significant milestone in the advancement of sustainable public transport

The order for TPER includes two variants of the Urbino 12 hydrogen buses: 70 three-door buses designated for urban routes and 67 two-door vehicles intended for urban and suburban routes, connecting Bologna with surrounding towns. 

The operator has already added the first 37 Solaris Urbino 12 buses to its fleet. These hydrogen-powered Urbino buses are equipped with 70 kW fuel cells and five hydrogen tanks with a total capacity of 37.5 kg of hydrogen. 

The Urbino 12 hydrogen buses provide a comfortable and accessible space for passengers – they feature a low-floor design, air conditioning, a monitoring system, and platforms for individuals with limited mobility. Quiet and comfortable, they enhance residents’ quality of life by reducing noise pollution and improving air quality.  

City authorities emphasize that adopting hydrogen technology is not just an investment in transportation but also public health and environmental protection. 

Bologna is not limiting its efforts to hydrogen buses alone – the city is continuously developing an entire zero-emission transport ecosystem. In addition to investing in hydrogen buses, work is underway on a new tram network, and the public transport fleet is being expanded with electric vehicles. The city’s strategy aims for full electrification of public transportation, encompassing trams, trolleybuses, battery-powered buses, and hydrogen buses. 

Simultaneously, infrastructure development projects are being implemented, including the construction of three hydrogen refueling stations – two in Bologna and one in Ferrara. In the future, the city also plans to produce green hydrogen for public transport needs, further increasing its energy independence. 

City officials emphasize that investments in clean transportation bring tangible benefits. Thanks to the new hydrogen bus fleet, CO2 emissions will be reduced by over 8,300 tons annually, significantly improving air quality. 

Solaris is the largest hydrogen bus manufacturer in Europe, offering both 12- and 18-meter models. To date, we have delivered over 430 hydrogen buses to countries including Italy, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Spain, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and France. An additional 400 buses are currently ordered or in the process of delivery across the continent. Besides Bologna and Ferrara, Urbino hydrogen buses can also be seen on the roads of Venice, Bolzano, Modena, Mantua, and Pescara.