In the first few months of 2019 alone, bus manufacturer Solaris Bus & Coach (Owińska / Poland; www.solarisbus.pl) was awarded numerous new orders for electric buses from several major European cities. Among other cities, Milan (250 buses), Warsaw (130) and Berlin (90) have ordered large numbers of buses. Considering these order volumes, the company, which belongs to Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF, Beasain / Spain; www.caf.net) since the end of 2018, considers itself the leading company on the European continent, ahead of competitors such as Scania and Mercedes.

Solaris’ approach to mobility is fuelled by the EU’s April 2019 decision that 45% of new buses purchased between 2021 and 2025 in the EU should be powered “cleanly” to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Between 2025 and 2030, the quota is to rise to 65%. Half of the applicable quota must be covered by zero-emission buses – meaning electric and hydrogen vehicles, but not hybrids. However, poorer EU economies in Eastern and Southern Europe will have lower targets than Western European countries.

Large parts of the vehicles assembled at the company’s plant in Bolechowo / Poland are made of plastics and glass-fibre-reinforced composites, especially for the bodywork and interior.