During Busworld, the winners of the Sustainable Bus Awards 2026 were announced. These prestigious prizes honor the most innovative and sustainable vehicles in the bus and coach sector. The 2026 edition highlights how rapidly the bus industry is transforming: where innovation and sustainability once stood apart, they now form the core of every design. The winners – Solaris, Iveco, and MAN – demonstrate that the future of mobility is not only silent, clean, and efficient, but also inspiring.
An international jury of ten specialized journalists from across Europe evaluated fourteen nominated vehicles in three categories: Urban, Intercity, and Coach.
Urban: SOLARIS Urbino 10.5 Electric
The SOLARIS Urbino 10.5 Electric was awarded in the Urban category. This compact, fully electric city bus impressed the jury with its modular powertrain and sophisticated design.
With a battery capacity exceeding 400 kWh and a 250 kW motor, the Urbino achieves an impressive range of over 600 kilometers (according to eSORT standards), making it particularly suited for intensive urban operations.
In terms of safety, the vehicle complies with GSR2 standards and is ready for the integration of advanced driver assistance systems. Comfort levels are high, featuring ECAS suspension, a kneeling function, ramps for wheelchair users, and an exceptionally quiet interior.
Sustainability was also a priority: more than 95% of the components are recyclable, while the structure is largely made from recycled steel. The CO₂ heat pump used for climate control further minimizes the ecological footprint.
With this award, Solaris reaffirms its leading role in the development of zero-emission city buses.
Intercity: IVECO BUS Crossway NF Elec
In the Intercity category, the IVECO BUS Crossway NF Elec took home the prize. This model builds on the success of the popular Crossway series, of which more than 65,000 units have been produced since 2006.
The electric version has a central powertrain of 290 kW and modular NMC batteries up to 414 kWh, giving it a range of up to 400 kilometres. Thanks to CCS Combo 2 fast-charging technology, it can charge efficiently at up to 240 kW.
Safety systems such as AEBS, ESP, MOIS, BSIS, and DDAW come standard, while the interior accommodates up to 63 passengers. Accessibility is ensured thanks to a wheelchair lift and pneumatic suspension.
The Crossway NF Elec is built in a factory certified to ISO 14001, 5001, 45001 and 9001 standards, using recycled materials and energy-efficient processes.
With this award, IVECO BUS strengthens its position as a technological benchmark for sustainable regional buses.
Coach: MAN Lion’s Coach 14 E
The winner in the Coach category is the MAN Lion’s Coach 14 E, which impressed with its combination of power, efficiency, and comfort.
This touring coach features a fully electric powertrain with a continuous power output of 330 kW and a battery capacity up to 534 kWh. Depending on conditions and usage, it achieves a range of up to 650 kilometers, enabling long-distance, zero-emission travel.
In terms of safety, the bus is equipped with the MAN driver assistance package, including Emergency Brake Assist Plus, Adaptive Cruise Control Stop&Go, Lane Departure Warning, OptiView mirror replacement, and MAN AttentionGuard.
The interior offers various configurations and digital features via the RIO platform, elevating connectivity and passenger comfort to a new level. Furthermore, more than 95% of the components are made from recyclable materials, produced in accordance with strict international environmental standards.
With this award, MAN confirms its position as a pioneer in sustainable long-distance travel