Press release

Volvo Buses receives order for 29 hybrid buses from Göteborg, Sweden

2012-10-10

Press release

Volvo Buses has received an order for 29 hybrid buses from bus operator Keolis in Göteborg, Sweden. The fuel consumption and climate footprint of the new hybrid buses are almost 40 percent lower than for conventional diesel buses.

“It’s marvellous that Keolis is choosing modern, climate-optimised technology and that we’ll now see even more hybrid buses in Göteborg,” says Martin Spjern, Market Manager Sweden at Volvo Buses.

As recently as June this year Volvo Buses delivered 25 hybrid buses to public transport operator Göteborgs Spårvägar, and at the same time next year the 29 new hybrid buses ordered by Keolis will enter operation on the island of Hisingen in Göteborg.

“Volvo’s hybrid technology is exciting and is entirely in line with our environmental profile. Volvo’s hybrid buses also deliver low running costs and they have shown themselves to be highly competitive when we compared them with gas-powered buses,” says Karl Orton, technical director, Keolis Sweden.

39 percent lower fuel consumption
The new Volvo 7900 Hybrid buses are the latest generation of hybrid models from Volvo. Compared with a corresponding diesel bus, the Volvo 7900 Hybrid delivers 39 percent lower fuel consumption and climate impact. Emissions of particles and nitrogen oxides are halved, and the noise level is far lower. The Volvo 7900 Hybrid is about 500 kg lighter than the previous model, making it possible to carry additional passengers.

Volvo has so far sold almost 1000 hybrid buses globally and reports show that they meet customer expectations for good fuel efficiency, low environmental impact and high reliability.

“We are continuing to develop hybrid technology, and customer demand continues to increase. As more and more operators insist on low environmental impact, low energy consumption and quiet operation, our hybrid buses represent a particularly strong alternative,” says Martin Spjern.

Powered by electricity and biodiesel
Volvo’s hybrid bus runs entirely on electricity, quietly and emission-free, from standstill to a speed of 15-20 km/h. At higher speeds the bus receives additional power from a small 4-cylinder diesel engine running on biodiesel. The energy generated during engine braking is stored in the on-board batteries and is used to power the bus’s electric motor and auxiliary systems.

For further information, please contact:
Helena Lind, Media Manager, Volvo Bus Corporation
Phone: +46 (0)31-323 62 57