Solaris Debuted Urbino 40 Electric Bus in United States

The Poland-based manufacturer showcased its North American transit platform at a major industry expo in Chicago.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Electric Vehicles

A modern electric city bus with a distinctive roof design, parked on an urban street during a bright, overcast day. — Solaris has debuted its Urbino 40 electric bus for the North American market, aiming to compete in the transit sector using technology from its parent company, CAF Group. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Solaris, a subsidiary of CAF Group, unveiled its new Urbino 40 electric bus for the North American market. The company has already secured initial orders from transit agencies in Seattle and San Francisco.

Why it matters

Solaris intends to leverage CAF Group's existing rail industry relationships to establish a foothold in the U.S. transit market. The move expands the company's global reach after years of growth in European and international cities.

Solaris now offers battery-electric buses in 40-foot and 60-foot lengths specifically for North American agencies. The company has delivered 30,000 buses across 900 cities globally to date.

The players

Solaris

This Poland-based bus manufacturer is a subsidiary of CAF Group and has a history of supplying transit vehicles to hundreds of global cities.

CAF Group

The international rail and bus manufacturing corporation acquired Solaris in 2018 to expand its portfolio in sustainable transit solutions.

King County Metro

This public transportation agency serves the Seattle area and has placed one of the initial orders for the new Solaris buses.

San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency

This agency manages transit in San Francisco and is among the first U.S. operators to order the Urbino 40 electric bus.

The details

The Urbino 40 electric bus features a platform engineered for North American transit requirements, utilizing roof-mounted batteries to optimize both range and maintenance accessibility. While manufacturing occurs in Poland, the company is using its parent firm's infrastructure to enter the U.S. sector.

2018: CAF Group acquired ownership of Solaris.
October 5, 2026: Solaris unveiled the Urbino 40 electric bus.

Roadmap

The introduction of the Urbino 40 platform signals a broader consolidation trend where established international transit manufacturers adapt European designs for the North American market. This positions Solaris to compete directly with domestic and incumbent electric bus suppliers by utilizing existing rail-sector supply chains.

Commuters in Seattle and San Francisco can expect to see these new electric models integrated into their local transit fleets as part of the initial rollout. These buses aim to improve operational efficiency for local agencies while supporting municipal goals for fleet electrification.

The takeaway

Solaris aims to capture U.S. market share by applying its extensive experience with European transit systems to North American agency needs. Buyers should monitor how the integration of these Polish-built vehicles impacts the competitive pricing of domestic electric transit fleets.