[Tushar]

Volvo’s first electric bus has officially commenced public road testing in Gothenburg, Sweden. Mid-June will see the start of traffic on route 55 between Lindholmen and Chalmers / Johanneberg in Gothenburg. Volvo will be deploying ten new buses on this route, of which, three are all electric buses and seven are electric hybrids.

Volvo states that the electric bus consumes about 80% less energy than a corresponding diesel bus. Before it enters regular operations, Volvo’s new electric bus will also be shown at the large UITP public-transport show in Milan on June 8-10. On the inside, the bus gets three power sockets for the passengers and it features on-board wifi as well. The vehicle has a capacity of 86 passengers.

Series production of all-electric Volvo buses is scheduled for 2017.

[barcalad]

Very well designed, this. Loved the front look. Headlamps remind me of a certain newly launched Indian motorcycle. The cabin space seems to be very generous too. I just hope this is priced right and introduced in Asian markets soon after it's launch. With Scania too entering the fray in this segment, it's a boon to have these machines running on roads.

[adisag]

Originally Posted by Tushar

Volvo’s first electric bus has officially commenced public road testing in Gothenburg, Sweden. Mid-June will see the start of traffic on route 55 between Lindholmen and Chalmers / Johanneberg in Gothenburg. Volvo will be deploying ten new buses on this route, of which, three are all electric buses and seven are electric hybrids.

Any details on the "all electric buses"? How much range do they have? Wouldn't the frequent charging require too much off duty time? Of the cuff "all electrics" don't seem to make much sense to me.

Originally Posted by Tushar

Volvo states that the electric bus consumes about 80% less energy than a corresponding diesel bus. Before it enters regular operations, Volvo’s new electric bus will also be shown at the large UITP public-transport show in Milan on June 8-10. On the inside, the bus gets three power sockets for the passengers and it features on-board wifi as well. The vehicle has a capacity of 86 passengers.

That's a lot of passengers, are they articulated? and the feature list looks good as well.

[volkman10]

Some more info on the bus.

The interior of the bus is bright and airy and there are electrical power sockets for passengers to recharge their mobile phones. The bus features onboard Wi-Fi. Although the bus is just 10.7 metres long (more than a metre shorter than a conventional bus) it can carry up to 86 passengers. The central driver’s seat contributes to high passenger capacity.

Customer Clinics were developed through passenger input include extra-wide and low-access doors for quick boarding and alighting, and a spacious flat floor for good stroller and wheelchair access.

Source: Volvo info.

[Astleviz]

Originally Posted by adisag

Any details on the "all electric buses"? How much range do they have? Wouldn't the frequent charging require too much off duty time? Of the cuff "all electrics" don't seem to make much sense to me.

Range is not an issue with these buses as these ply on a fixed route that maybe 40-60 km long. The batteries are charged once the bus reaches the terminal. The batteries are capable of fast charging (80% charge in 15 minutes) so off-duty time is not a big problem.

The main issue is the cost of these buses. Proterra electric bus costs 850,000$. Volvos maybe a bit cheaper but not substantially.

The buses are not 'articulated". These are infact a bit shorter than a regular bus but can carry more people.

[Ashley2]

Volvo is the only OEM among the top 15 manufacturers to have presence across all markets. Incidentally the only three OEM's that have considerable volumes in the Top 20 are Volvo, Daimler and Optate Ashokleyland. Rest all are Chinese manufacturers.
Buses were always been dominated by Chinese players, Hybrid& Electric buses are no different.

In India, with close to 80% of electricity is from fossil fuels, the net reduction of carbon foot print is still a question mark. Alternate fuels like CNG, Ethanol are the best options to India IMHO.

[gthang]

Looks nice, but the idea of a huge bus like that rolling around silently is kinda scary.

They might have to put simulated sound through speakers to warn pedestrians, cyclists and other motorists.

Was a real issue when they introduced electric trams in Houston several years ago. People kept driving into them because they didn't hear them coming !!

Cheers

[condor]

Ashley2 : In India, with close to 80% of electricity is from fossil fuels, the net reduction of carbon foot print is still a question mark. Alternate fuels like CNG, Ethanol are the best options to India IMHO.

Agree. Some groups dont want Nuclear power, others dont want hydel power. And Solar power still has a way to go.

[sreeharipv]

Bring on the electric buses. City buses are ideal candidates for conversion to EVs.

They are obnoxious and affect huge number of people for the very reason they spend most of their time in the thick urbanscape. Besides, they don't run hundreds of kms per day and are subject to very low wind resistance owing to city speed limits and can benefit from the instant torque of the electric motors. All of which in favor of electrification.

Checkout Wrightspeed.com for inspiration!

[gtonsing]

This is a nice and sensible design. Putting the driver in the middle makes a lot of sense. Also, his left and right space could be used for additional entry and exit or maybe even passenger seats. Not too sure about the electric ones especially for India as the Indian Government does not seem to want to reduce tax for electric/environmentally friendly engines.

[volkman10]

Electric bus route 55 launched in Gothenburg - Sweden.





Source:Volvo- Press release

[arunkumarsarat]

Originally Posted by Tushar

Volvo’s first electric bus has officially commenced public road testing in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Volvo states that the electric bus consumes about 80% less energy than a corresponding diesel bus.

This is the need of the hour, for the increasingly crowded cities around the world. Developing countries like India and China whose cities are reeling under massive air pollution has to devote their money and energy to start adopting such projects in a big way.


Having an indoor terminal is a very good strategy to convince ordinary mortals the mind blowing benefits of electric buses.

[volkman10]

Volvo Bus reveals new electric hybrid double-decker .



The Volvo B5LHC builds on the success of the company’s 7900 single-deck electric hybrid, launched in 2014.

The B5LHC is the latest model in Volvo’s electromobility range, which includes hybrid, electric hybrid and full electric vehicles along with connected services and maintenance packages tailored to urban transport systems.

The first Volvo Hybrid Double Deck was introduced in UK in 2009 – by the end of 2016 there will be more than 1,500 in service.

The launch vehicle – which has been built to Transport for London (TfL) specification – is scheduled for evaluation in London during 2017. Certified with a passenger capacity of 87, it has 43 seats on the top deck and 17 seats in the lower saloon, built to a two-door specification.

Source

[volkman10]

Volvo Launches New 7900 Electric Bus.

Volvo Buses is introducing a new version of its all-electric bus, the Volvo 7900 Electric, which is now equipped with greater capacity battery packs for more range.

There are now three options – 150, 200 and 250 kWh; of which, the top of the line battery should enable some 200 km (124 miles) of range.

The first models of Volvo’s new generation of electric buses are expected to become operational at the end of 2018.

The new Volvo 7900 Electric:

-All-electric propulsion, two-axle 12-metre city bus with low floor and three doors.
-Quiet and emission-free operation.
-80 % lower energy consumption than corresponding diesel bus.
-Battery capacity 150, 200 or 250 kWh.
-Can be charged via OppCharge or CCS (250 kWh charge only via CCS)
-Operating range up to 200 km depending on topography and driving conditions.
-Volvo’s advanced steering system Volvo Dynamic Steering (VDS) and the safety-enhancing Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection Warning are available as option

link

[volkman10]

Volvo and NTU to trial autonomous electric buses in Singapore.

Singapore and its Land Transport Authority (LTA) are recognized for their focus on public transport and deployment of autonomous vehicles in the effort to create a sustainable city environment. Singapore has announced that self-driving buses will be deployed in several areas of the country by 2022.

For Volvo this will be the first autonomous application in public transportation. Volvo has already demonstrated the autonomous technology in mining, quarry and refuse collection operations.

The basis of the program consists of two all-electric 12-metre Volvo 7900 Electric buses, of the same type that Volvo Buses already delivers today. Volvo and NTU will build the autonomous driving solution on Volvo’s platform.

The autonomous Volvo 7900 Electric

•All-electric-powered, two-axle 12 metre long city bus with low floor. Quiet and emission-free operation and 80 % lower energy consumption compared to a corresponding diesel bus.


•The buses will be equipped with GPS along with LIDAR laser technology-based system for charting, positioning and scanning the area around the vehicle. Automatic regulation of steering, gear changing and speed.


Source: Volvo Press Release