Economy and the environment
When Volvo first presented hybrid buses a decade ago it was assumed that some 20% of fuel could be saved. This would give substantial environmental benefits and cost savings. When reports started to reach us we instead saw savings of 25%, then 30% and even 40%. Our hybrid technology started to pay back from day one.
The introduction of the Volvo 7900 Electric Hybrid took electromobility one step further. 75% less fuel, but perhaps even more important, it could operate silently and with zero emissions. The cost of noise to society is often severely underestimated. New regulations governing noise for public health reasons means dramatic cost increases, but with electrified buses much of this can be avoided.
