Volvo Buses
Global
In Volvo Buses' recent survey conducted among coach operators globally, the message was clear. Coach electrification is not a future ambition – it's happening now, and policy needs to catch up. "One of our most important ambitions is to break new ground in e-mobility to expand sustainable people transport,” says Stefan Widlund, electromobility director at Volvo Buses.
Stefan Widlund is Electromobility Director at Volvo Buses, with long-standing experience in the electrification of heavy vehicles.
In the survey, conducted through digital interviews with more than 70 coach operators across Asia-Pacific, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe, Volvo Buses learned more about customers’ attitudes to electrification and received valuable insights for the road ahead.
Operators have already started
And the e-mob race is already on; in the survey, 3 percent of the operators say they have already started their e-mobility transformation by adding electric coaches to their fleets.
“We’re pleased to see that operators are up and running using electric coaches,” says Volvo Buses’ electromobility director, Stefan Widlund.
The demand for high-power charging hubs for electric coaches and trucks will increase significantly
“What really stands out is the broader breakthrough we can expect to see over the next few years, as a substantial share of coach operators begin their transformation and electric coaches become mainstream.”
38 percent of the survey respondents say they will start the transformation to electric within one to five years.
“When this happens, the demand for high-power charging hubs for electric coaches and trucks will increase significantly. We know that a lot of operators are already concerned about this.”
Charging infrastructure needs to expand
80 percent of the operators in the survey see limited charging infrastructure along major routes and points of interest as a challenge.
“If we want the transformation to e-mobility to be successful, political will and joint initiatives with the industry are needed to ensure that the charging infrastructure is expanded. And that’s not a one-man job, it must be done in partnerships, says Stefan Widlund.
The reality of operating range
”The need for charging infrastructure is closely connected to the operating range, and 73 percent of the operators think that electric coaches have insufficient range for longer distances. Do they really need to worry?
"Of course, it depends on what routes you’re operating and access to charging along the way. Our BZR Electric coach offers a range of up to 700 km according to the SORT 3 standard, indicating an operational range that is more than most operators cover in a day. In general, the answer is no,” says Stefan Widlund.
Total solutions are attractive
So operating range is important for coach operators when going electric, but it turns out it’s more than the vehicles that matter.
"We know from before that services that make life easier and make costs more predictable are of great help to coach operators. This becomes even more important during the transition to electric coaches. 49 percent of the operators are looking for a partner that can provide total solutions and not just the vehicles.”
Environmental factors still driving the shift
What are the driving forces for coach operators to make the transition?
46 percent of the operators rank environmental and sustainability goals as important motivators for going electric, and 45 percent cite regulatory pressure and emissions zones.
Volvo Buses is committed to being fossil-free by 2040, and many operators have equally ambitious targets. Electrification is key, but the transformation can’t only be the operators’ responsibility if emissions are to be reduced at scale. Legislation and regulation need to support this shift.
Political initiatives needed
Volvo Buses and a couple of other manufacturers have products and services ready to order, and more players are expected to follow in a market where over 40 percent of the operators are getting ready to start or have already started.
"Now, we need political initiatives that facilitate the transformation of the coach industry at scale,” says Stefan Widlund.
*The survey was conducted in September–October 2025. The target group was relevant coach customers in Asia-Pacific, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and the UK/Ireland. In total 75 customers responded.
