In subsequent years the manufacturer widened the city bus range, adding new models which, initially, were conventionally fuelled.

Krzysztof Olszewski, founder of Solaris Bus & Coach, said at that time that: ”Diesel has died, long live electricity!”.

[1] A green dachshund, the trademark of Solaris, with a cable and plug instead of a tail, became the graphic symbol of the Urbino electric.

the lack of noxious emissions, which means the protection of the natural environment, as well as a low noise emission, but also a high efficiency of the electric drive and lower operating costs in connection with the lower price of electric power needed to cover the same distance as a conventionally powered vehicle.

It was fitted with a fast-charging system, using special chargers, that facilitated a full recharge of depleted batteries in a matter of 1.5 hours.

During tests held in Zakopane, the Urbino electric 8,9 LE carried passengers on the route leading up to the mountain lake Morskie Oko.

In the prototype bus, the motor is fed with power that is stored in two liquid-cooled lithium batteries with a total capacity of 124 kWh and a rated voltage of 600 V, supplied by Polish firm Wamtechnik.

The drivetrain consists of a ZF RL55-type independent front suspension and rear axle DANA G150, which are set on air bellows.

Components with a reduced weight, such as thinner windows, lighter seats, a mahogany floor (instead of a plywood one), foamed ACM for air feed ducts and aluminium rims, have been used in the Urbino 8,9 LE electric for the final touch.

A state-of-the-art panel with three LCD touch screens instead of analogue indicators and traditional switches complete the driver's cabin.

[7][2][5] In June 2012, as part of tests, the first prototype bus carried passengers free of charge for three weeks during the UEFA European Football Championship 2012, in Poznań on the “E” line, running from the International Airport Poznań – Ławica, past roundabout Rondo Kaponiera up to shopping, art and business centre Centrum Handlu, Sztuki i Biznesu Stary Browar.

[32] During tests in Zakopane, the Urbino electric 8,9 LE carried passengers among others to mountain lake Morskie Oko.

[34][16] In January 2013, tests with the Solaris Urbino 8,9 LE electric were carried out by public transport operator MPK Kraków.

A year later operator MPK Kraków announced a tender for the supply of four nine-metre electric buses, which ended in two bids being filed: one by Solaris and the other by Czech manufacturer SOR.

[18] At the beginning of 2017, operator MZK in Chodzież launched a call for bids for the supply of one MIDI-class electric bus.

[19] In April 2017, a tender for 19 city buses, including 10 electric ones, was announced by public transport operator MZK Stalowa Wola.

[39] The gross price of the two Urbino 8,9 LE electric adapted to the needs of the RCKiK was set at PLN 6.1 million.