The Volvo 7900 Electric Hybrid will be officially launched at the International IAA Commercial Vehicles show in September. Silent, cleaner and with significantly lower fuel consumption, it represents a new generation of public transportation. Volvo has already signed contracts with several European cities for supplies of the buses.
Volvo Buses takes the next step in electrification and launches the Volvo 7900 Electric Hybrid. The plug-in technology reduces fuel consumption and carbon dioxide by up to 75%, compared to a conventional diesel bus. Total energy consumption is reduced by 60%. Three Volvo Electric Hybrids have run in a field test in Gothenburg the past year, a test which has verified the reduction in energy consumption and emissions.
Noise is a growing problem in many cities. The noise level near to an Electric Hybrid is 65 decibels, i.e. normal conversation level. The Volvo 7900 Electric Hybrid runs in electric mode in average 70% of the route, silent and emission-free.
The Volvo 7900 Electric Hybrid offers great flexibility in operation; it can run as an electric bus in selected areas, and performs as a hybrid on any route. Charging at end stations takes 6 minutes. The Volvo 7900 Electric Hybrid shares the technology of the well-proven Volvo 7900 Hybrid, securing high uptime and availability.
A number of European cities are showing a keen interest in the Electric Hybrids. Hamburg, Luxembourg and Stockholm have already signed up for supplies of the buses in 2014 and 2015. Serial production is scheduled to commence early 2016.
Coach: Reinforcing safety leadership
At the IAA, Volvo strengthens its position in safety by introducing an auto brake technology for the coach range. Volvo’s Forward Collision Warning and Emergency Braking functionality is able to brake also towards standstill objects in curves three years before the legal requirement comes in 2018.
The functionality is part of the Volvo Driver Support System which includes an Adaptive Cruise Control that automatically adapts the distance to the vehicle in front and a Lane Keeping Support System. The Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) uses radar to determine the distance to the vehicle ahead, when approaching a slower vehicle the ACC will override the cruise control speed setting and instead adapt the speed to the vehicle in front. The Lane Keeping Support System warns the driver if the vehicle drifts across a lane marking.
Visitors to the IAA will also be able to get acquainted with Volvo’s broad service portfolio, aimed at increasing fuel efficiency and uptime and lowering maintenance costs.
Volvo’s buses to be exhibited at IAA 2014 include:
- Volvo 7900 Electric Hybrid (incl charging system
- Volvo 7900 Hybrid Articulated
- Volvo 9900
