Ballard-powered Solaris fuel cell bus receives industry award for innovation

European bus manufacturer Solaris continues to receive industry accolades for its market-leading vehicles as its Urbino 18 hydrogen, powered by Ballard, has been highlighted by Germany commercial transit magazine, busplaner, in the publication’s 2025 Innovation Awards.

Winning the ‘Hydrogen Bus’ category, Solaris’ 18-meter articulated model came out on top of a readers’ poll representing further recognition in the decarbonized bus space for a fuel cell bus that was announced Bus of the Year for 2025 at IAA TRANSPORTATION 2024 in Hannover last September -where it was also utilized as a shuttle bus for visitors during the tradeshow.

Solaris CEO, Javier Iriarte, receives the busplaner award [image courtesy of Solaris]

The Urbino 18 hydrogen integrates Ballard's FCmove®-HD+ 100kW fuel cell engine, delivering superior performance and reliability, and the compact, durable, easy-to-install rooftop configuration provides an advanced decarbonized solution for medium- and heavy-duty mobility.

Featuring an unconventional engine compartment, the fuel cell bus is equipped with a modular drive system with components placed on the roof and in the rear of the vehicle. The solution maximizes passenger capacity, facilitates servicing, and provides flexibility when it comes to roof arrangement options. 

Providing a zero-emission alternative for urban transport for numerous cities across Europe, the bus can accommodate up to 140 passengers, has a relatively short refueling time of up to 20 minutes, and offers an operating range of 600km. 

With the hydrogen bus segment in Europe enjoying rapid growth in the last 12 months, Solaris has capitalized on a burgeoning market space - as the manufacturer's hydrogen vehicles have become the first choice for operators across the continent. In 2024, hydrogen buses from Solaris accounted for as much as 69% of all registered fuel cell-powered units.

This development is being seen in regional deployments, and the Solaris Urbino 18 hydrogen is already operating in cities such Aschaffenburg, Cologne, Essen, Güstrow, Wupperral, and Barcelona, with further contracts underway for many other cities. These units add to a total of 450 Solaris hydrogen-powered buses now in service on public transit routes across Europe, with an additional 400 planned for deployment soon. Every bus is powered by Ballard.