The International Bus of the Year jury has awarded the title of Bus of the Year 2025 to the Solaris Urbino 18 hydrogen. During a gala held at the opening of the IAA Transportation fair in Hannover, the statuette for the "International Bus of the Year 2025" was presented by Tom Terjesen, President of the jury, to Javier Iriarte, CEO of Solaris. The award is the most important distinction in the bus industry.
"This is a tremendous distinction not only for our product but for our entire zero-emission mobility strategy. I am extremely proud that our bus has been recognized by an international jury as the best vehicle in its class for 2025", as Javier Iriarte said during the award gala evening. The Solaris Urbino 18 hydrogen competed for the title of the best bus of the year in May this year as part of the Bus Euro Test. This year's edition took place in Kladno, the Czech Republic, where five vehicles underwent several days of comparative testing: Ebusco 3.0 articulated, MAN Lion's City 12 E LE, Mercedes-Benz eCitaro FCV, Solaris Urbino 18 Hydrogen and VDL Citea LE-122.
"Hydrogen is probably one of the most sustainable fuels. The fact that Solaris has chosen to invest so heavily in this technology deserves great respect. Solaris has also managed to construct a bus that meets future requirements in terms of passenger comfort and capacity, driver safety, and a good workplace, as well as a sustainable and environmentally friendly powertrain. All in all, when Solaris presented the 18-metre hydrogen-powered articulated bus at this year's Bus Euro Test, it caused great excitement!”, noted Tom Terjesen. This years "Bus Euro Test" was all about zero emissions, with a mix of battery electric propulsion, batteries plus a hydrogen fuel cell system and 100% hydrogen propulsion. After winning the International Bus of the Year 2017 award with the Urbino 12 electric, the first battery bus to win this prestigious award, Solaris has another premiere, with the first hydrogen bus to win the International Bus of
the Year 2025 award, eight years later. The Solaris Urbino 18 Hydrogen is build on a new platform, specially developed for zero-emission buses. The total transport capacity of the Urbino 18 Hydrogen is 140 passengers, of which 52 can be seated. Refueling takes only 20 minutes, for an autonomy of 600 km. The International Bus of the Year Award has a long history. It was founded in 1989. The competition is held every two years; the international Bus Euro Test in the even years and in the uneven years the jury organizes the International Coach Euro Test. The winning vehicle receives the title of the best bus for the next year, so for this year's edition it is "Bus of the Year 2025". The jury consists of trade journalists of 24 countries. This year's test to select the Bus of the Year 2025 took place in May in Kladno, near Prague (Czech Republic). Solaris Bus & Coach is part of the Spanish CAF Group.