Solaris, a prominent European bus manufacturer specialising in zero-emission vehicles, has signed its first contract for electric bus deliveries in the United States. This milestone agreement aligns with Solaris’ 2026 Strategic Plan, which aims to establish a foothold in the North American market by offering zero-emission buses (ZEBs). The contract was signed with King County Metro, a major public transit agency serving Seattle, Washington, and 34 surrounding cities.
The agreement involves the delivery of two 40-foot battery-electric buses and two 60-foot articulated electric buses, with an option for up to 12 additional units. The buses are scheduled for delivery in the second half of 2026. These vehicles will feature a new electric platform tailored to meet North American standards, including FMVSS and ADA compliance, and will integrate Solaris’ cutting-edge battery and propulsion technologies.
Solaris CEO Javier Iriarte expressed pride in the achievement, stating, “This agreement is an incredibly important achievement and a milestone in the history of Solaris. This is another step towards the realization of our strategic goals, and of our vision to make Solaris the supplier of choice in North America for zero emission buses.”
“We want to thank King County Metro for choosing Solaris and our product. It is my pleasure to be here, I am sure that this is the start of a fruitful collaboration with King County Metro and that our vehicles will meet and exceed their expectations,” he added.
King County Executive Dow Constantine highlighted the significance of the agreement, emphasising the role of zero-emission fleets in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and advancing clean energy infrastructure. King County Metro General Manager Michelle Allison noted the partnership’s potential to address the bus manufacturing shortage and benefit transit agencies across North America.
Solaris has a strong track record in zero-emission vehicle production, having delivered over 5,000 battery-electric, hydrogen, and trolleybuses operating in nearly 30 countries. Its award-winning designs, such as the Urbino 12 electric and Urbino 18 hydrogen, have set benchmarks in the industry.
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