Polish transport operator MPK Poznan has abruptly withdrawn all Solaris Urbino 12 hydrogen buses from service just weeks after finalising a contract for nine additional units with the manufacturer.
According to local reports, the decision was made as an emergency measure after onboard diagnostic systems in some of the vehicles detected unexpected malfunctions on the morning of March 3, 2025.
All 25 hydrogen buses operated by MPK Poznan, purchased in 2023, were impacted. This marks the first major incident involving these vehicles.
Read more:The first hydrogen-powered Solaris buses have been deployed in Poznan
Reportedly, Solaris highlighted poor hydrogen quality, supplied by Poland’s Orlen, as the most likely malfunction in its bus units.
“This is currently being clarified and checked in independent laboratories examining hydrogen samples from the station that supplies buses in Poznan,” the manufacturer stated.
However, MPK’s passenger services remained unaffected, as diesel and electric buses were swiftly deployed to cover the shortfall.
On February 12, Solaris Bus & Coach announced that MPK Poznan had once again opted to invest in its hydrogen-powered buses. The base order covered five vehicles, but MPK immediately took advantage of an option to extend the order by four more.
The additional vehicles won’t operate in the city until April 2026, bringing the transport operators’ hydrogen fleet to 34.
MPK Poznan is now working with Solaris and hydrogen supplier Orlen to identify the issue and restore its public transport operations.
The operator wrote online, “We would like to inform you that we were forced to bring back to the depot all hydrogen-powered Solaris Urbino 12 Hydrogen buses, in which the onboard computers signalled a breakdown today in the afternoon hours.
“Due to the priority of line services, all the withdrawn units were immediately replaced with the remaining available rolling stock.
“We are currently working together with the bus manufacturer and the hydrogen fuel supplier to clarify the cause and resolve the problems, which we will keep you informed of.”
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