GAZPROM Germania GMBH and Solbus bring natural gas buses to the streets of Warsaw

GAZPROM Germania, Solbus, and distribution partner Lider Trading won a public tender issued by Warsaw’s municipal transport company MZA Miejskie Zakłady Autobusowe sp. z o.o. in November 2013. GAZPROM Germania is both supplying the LNG for and providing for the refuelling of an initial group of 35 state-of-the-art urban buses supplied by Solbus. The companies previously launched Europe’s first 11 LNG city buses in the Polish city of Olsztyn in October 2013.

"Natural gas-powered buses both emit significantly fewer pollutants than comparable diesel buses and have motors that are significantly quieter, which is particularly welcome in the inner city. That’s why we and our Polish partner Solbus want to convince more customers of the benefits of natural gas for transport", says Timo Vehrs, Director of Business Development at GAZPROM Germania GmbH.

The city of Warsaw stands to benefit from using LNG, which is an environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternative fuel for public transport. "Natural gas-powered buses are a very tangible solution for eco-friendly public transport in Warsaw. Natural gas is considerably cheaper. Using natural gas also makes us less dependent on oil", says MZA spokesperson Adam Stawicki.

Natural gas is used as a motor fuel in liquid form (LNG) at temperatures of between -161°C and -139°C. LNG has the same environmentally friendly characteristics of compressed natural gas (CNG), which is already established as one of the most promising alternatives to ever-increasing petrol and diesel prices and cuts CO2 emissions by up to 25 %.

GAZPROM and its partners are working on a number of projects promoting the use of natural gas for transport. GAZPROM is also investing in the infrastructure necessary to operate natural gas-driven vehicles throughout Europe. GAZPROM Germania plans to be operating 35 natural gas filling stations around Germany by the end of 2015, and is working on improving CNG and LNG filling station infrastructure in Poland, Czech Republic, and Slovakia.

GAZPROM Germania

GAZPROM Germania GmbH is a subsidiary of the world’s largest natural gas producer, Moscow-based GAZPROM. Since its establishment in 1990, GAZPROM Germania GmbH has developed into an internationally operating group of around 40 companies in over 20 countries in Europe, Asia, and North America. Its main business activities include the storage and trading of natural gas and natural gas for transport. It employs around 1,200 employees, 200 of whom work at its Berlin headquarters. Together with its strategic partners, GAZPROM Germania GmbH helps ensure a reliable, environmentally-friendly, and sustainable energy supply for Europe.

Solbus

Solbus is a family-run bus manufacturer in Poland that measures up with the most renowned European bus manufacturers. The company specializes in developing and manufacturing modern, eco-friendly city buses powered by natural gas. Solbus focuses on three key product areas – urban buses, intercity buses, and long-distance coaches. Solbus uses components and assemblies from international suppliers such as Cummins, Iveco, ZF, and Voith. All Solbus vehicles meet Europe’s strict safety and environmental standards. Solbus has around 150 employees. Solbus works with experienced designers from Poland and elsewhere on the design of its new buses. The two companies are applying their joint expertise to the project.

CONTACT:

Burkhard Woelki

Director of Corporate Communications

phone +49 30 20 195 - 152

e-mail: burkhard.woelki@gazprom-germania.de

-

Mirco Hillmann

Senior PR and Communications Expert

phone +49 30 20 195 - 378

e-mail: mirco.hillmann@gazprom-germania.de

GAZPROM Germania GmbH

Markgrafenstraße 23

10117 Berlin

https://www.gazprom-germania.de

https://www.youtube.com/gazpromgermania

https://www.twitter.com/gazpromgermania