Three Solaris hydrogen buses went into service on the Le Met’ network in Metz on August 31, 2026, with 20 in service as of November 1, and the last fleet of 34 buses is planned, which would be supported by a green hydrogen production facility located at Frescaty, which is scheduled to come online by the end of H1 2027.
The three Solaris hydrogen buses started to operate on the Le Met’ network in Metz from 31 August, 2026. Mayor François Grosdidier called it une vraie révolution – a real revolution. By November 1, 2026, there should be six 12-metre and fourteen 18-metre Solaris Urbino buses operational. The entire fleet will consist of 34 vehicles when fully deployed.
The 12-metre buses cost €800,000 or $880,000 each, while the articulated 18-metre buses are €1 million or $1.1 million.
Supply of Hydrogen
Hydrogen is currently from external sources. The H2 Metz joint venture – UEM and John Cockerill – will construct an onsite green hydrogen production unit at a specially constructed bus depot in Frescaty by the end of the H1 of 2027.
In 2025, John Cockerill took over the strategic assets of McPhy, the French electrolyser maker, and in July 2026, went on to assemble its first electrolyser stack in Belfort.
Metz aiming for a 57% zero-emission fleet by 2035
It is well to be noted that Metz Eurométropole intends to reach 57% of zero-emission vehicles by 2035. In addition to the 34 hydrogen buses, the authority also announced that it is going to buy 99 battery-electric buses, including 14 for high-frequency BHNS routes. Le Met’ is operated by Kéolis.
Cannes at present has 41 hydrogen buses in operation. Béziers launched 13 Solaris hydrogen buses in August 2026. Infrastructure when it comes to its hydrogen Régiolis trains is also being prepared by the Occitanie region.
Solaris, the Polish manufacturer of the Metz fleet, has over 800 hydrogen buses operating in Europe. In May 2026, Solaris chose the FCmove-SC fuel cell engine by Ballard for its new generation hydrogen bus platform and extended its Ballard supply agreement till 2029.