© Solaris

The Solaris Urbino 18 hydrogen has been named the winner of the Busplaner Innovation Award 2025 in the “Hydrogen Bus” category, reinforcing its position as a leading zero-emission solution in urban transport. The award, issued by Germany’s Busplaner magazine, is based on votes from industry professionals across Europe and recognizes the most advanced and practical innovations in public transport.

Hydrogen-Powered with High Range and Fast Refueling

The 18-meter hydrogen bus, built by Polish manufacturer Solaris and part of the CAF Group, offers a range of up to 600 kilometers and seats up to 140 passengers. It uses hydrogen fuel cell technology to generate electricity on board, eliminating direct CO₂ emissions. A full refueling takes roughly 20 minutes — a major advantage over battery-electric alternatives in terms of operational uptime.

Market Share and Deployment Across Europe

The hydrogen segment of the bus market remains small but is growing quickly, and Solaris is leading that expansion. In 2024, its hydrogen models accounted for 69% of all hydrogen bus registrations in Europe. The Urbino 18 hydrogen is already deployed in Cologne, Essen, Wuppertal, Aschaffenburg, Güstrow, and Barcelona, with new contracts pending across the continent.

“This particular bus is part of the future of clean urban mobility. And it’s quietly doing the job rather well,” wrote one report covering the award, underscoring the practical impact of the technology on city transit systems.

Strong Track Record in Innovation Awards

This isn’t the first recognition for Solaris. The company has previously won multiple categories in the Busplaner awards, including “Electric Bus,” “Intercity Bus,” and “Concept Vehicle.” The Urbino 18 hydrogen also received the 2025 Bus of the Year Award, adding to its credibility in the market.

Hydrogen Mobility Gains Ground

All Solaris vehicles are manufactured in Poland, and the company has delivered more than 25,000 buses to 33 countries. While hydrogen transport often takes a back seat to battery-electric vehicles in media coverage, Solaris’s success suggests growing interest from operators seeking fast refueling and long-range solutions.

As policymakers push for deeper decarbonization of public transport, vehicles like the Urbino 18 hydrogen show that hydrogen is no longer experimental. It’s already on the road, and in many European cities, it’s quietly becoming the backbone of low-emission transit.