Solaris Is Winning the Wrong Race in Europe’s Zero-Emission Bus Market - CleanTechnica

The article from CleanTechnica analyzes Solaris' position in Europe’s zero-emission bus market, highlighting that while Solaris is currently the largest supplier of hydrogen buses on the continent, it is doing so in a segment that is losing momentum. In 2024, Europe registered only a few hundred hydrogen buses compared to nearly 8,000 battery electric buses, reflecting a strong market shift toward battery electric technology. National and municipal transport agencies across Europe are increasingly scaling up battery electric fleets, closing hydrogen refueling stations, and removing hydrogen from procurement plans. Solaris’ leadership in hydrogen buses places it at the top of a shrinking market, which risks contraction as operators favor technologies with better economics and clearer strategic futures. Solaris built its zero-emission reputation during a period when hydrogen enjoyed political support and EU funding, offering a broad portfolio including battery electric, hydrogen fuel cell, trolleybuses, and hybrids alongside legacy diesel and CNG lines. However, this breadth has introduced complexity and diluted focus, especially as the