Michelle Allison, General Manager of King County Metro, and Javier Iriarte, CEO of Solaris Bus & Coach.
Solaris has secured its first contract in the US market, which includes the delivery of two 40-foot battery electric buses and two 60-foot articulated buses. The agreement also provides an option for up to 12 additional units. Deliveries are expected to begin in late 2026.
These buses will be based on an electric-generated platform specifically designed for the North American market, conforming to all US regulations including FMVSS and ADA compliance. The platform will feature the most progressive battery bus technology developed by solaris in its 15 years of experience in battery buses, including advanced electric propulsion systems, solaris proprietary battery integration technology and state-of-the-art connectivity features, proven service. European market.
“This agreement is an incredibly important achievement and milestone in the history of solaris. This is another step towards realizing our strategic goals, and our vision of making solaris the preferred supplier in North America for zero emission buses. We would like to thank King County Metro for choosing Solaris and our product. It is a pleasure for me to be here, I am sure that this is the beginning of a fruitful collaboration with King County Metro and that our vehicles will meet and exceed their expectations,” said Javier Iriarte, CEO of Solaris Bus & Coach.
“Metro has been a national leader in transitioning to zero-emission fleets, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, reducing maintenance costs and improving air quality,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “Our battery-electric buses are part of the clean energy infrastructure that King County is building to deliver the transportation network of the future. Expanding the number of manufacturers producing these new vehicles for the North American markets benefits not only our region but transit agencies across the country. This agreement between King County Metro and Solaris is an important next step.
“At Metro, we are deeply committed to building a sustainable future through innovation and collaboration,” said Michelle Allison, General Manager of King County Metro. “Our goal is to create a zero-emission fleet that not only enhances our communities but also paves the way for environmental responsibility. Metro’s partnership with electric and hydrogen bus manufacturer Solaris will help address the bus manufacturing shortage and potentially provide even more options for other transit agencies in North America.
To date, Solaris has delivered more than 5,000 zero-emission vehicles, including battery electric buses, hydrogen buses and trolleybuses, and are operating in approximately 30 countries. Solaris has the most comprehensive product portfolio across all lengths and propulsion technologies on the market, with a particular focus on low- and zero-emissions. In 2017, the solaris urbino 12 electric (40 ft battery electric bus) was awarded the title of bus of the year, and this year, the solaris urbino 18 hydrogen (60 ft fuel cell electric vehicle) was awarded the title of bus of the year 2025. Has been selected in. Europe.
“In Europe, the Solaris brand is widely recognized for the quality and superior performance of its zero emission vehicles. Our goal is to bring the same service-proven technology to American transit authorities. Our commitment is to support the transition to zero-emission transportation in cities across Europe and North America by developing and delivering the most reliable and innovative products. This contract marks significant progress for the bus industry in North America and has the potential to be a game-changer for the region in the coming decade,” Iriarte concluded.
