The new Urbino 18 hybrid bus from Solaris incorporates Voith’s DIWA hybrid system in its
low-floor, articulated city buses. The hybrid system is designed for power input up to 389
hp and a maximum input torque of 1180 lb.ft., and can improve fuel economy by as much
as 35% compared to standard diesel buses, the company said.
PARTNERING UP TO
BRING EMISSIONS DOWN
Solaris adds to hybrid electric bus fleet with new Urbino 18 using Voith DIWA hybrid system
BY BILL SIURU, PHD, PE
Hybrid electric buses have become quite a success tory, with thousands already
built and in service worldwide and
more currently in production. One of
the newest entries in the market is
Solaris’ Urbino 18 bus, which incorporates a Voith DIWA hybrid system in
its low-floor, articulated city buses.
The Voith DIWA hybrid system is
a parallel technology where both the
diesel engine and electric motor sup-
ply power to the rear wheels. It is
based on Voith’s DIWA heavy-duty
automatic transmission, which Voith
said is used in more than 230,000
vehicles worldwide. The synchro-
nous electric motor assists the diesel
engine when pulling away from stops
and accelerating. During braking, the
motor acts as a generator and prima-
ry retarder, complementing the DIWA
secondary retarder, to provide regen-
erative braking.
