A bus route that is entirely served by Volvo’s quiet, fuel-efficient and practically emission-free electric hybrid buses is now set to become reality in Stockholm.
A total of eight electric hybrid buses will be deployed on route 73 which passes through the central areas of Stockholm, starting on March 16.
Volvo’s 7900 electric hybrid buses will replace all of the existing buses on route 73, which runs between Ropsten and the Karolinska Institute in central Stockholm.
Volvo’s electric hybrid buses will operate quietly and free of emissions on renewable electricity for seven of the route’s slightly more than eight kilometers, and the batteries will be quick-charged for only six minutes at the end stops. As a complement, the buses also have a small diesel engine that is driven on biodiesel. Compared with conventional buses, the electric hybrids provide considerable environmental gains. The total energy consumption is 60 percent lower. Climate-impacting emissions are reduced by 90 percent since the buses will use biodiesel and wind power. The noise level during electrical operation is at the same level as ordinary conversational tone.
Services using electric hybrid buses in Stockholm comprise a demonstration project conducted by Volvo Buses, SL (Stockholm Public Transport) and energy provider Vattenfall. It is part-financed by the EU through the ZeEUS (Zero Emission Urban Bus System) project, in which more than 40 companies and organizations are participating. Following the initial demonstration project that will continue until the end of 2016, the intention is to continue using the electric hybrids in commercial operation.
Volvos electric hybrids have also been used in commercial service in Hamburg, Germany, since December 2014.
The Volvo 7900 Electric Hybrid
With its world-first electric hybrid bus incorporating Euro 6 equipment, electric motor and plug-in technology, Volvo is further developing its electro mobile pioneering role. Charging takes place at the end stop using a pantograph that is integrated with the charging station. When the bus has reached its parking position under the charging mast, the pantograph is lowered to both of the charging bars on the roof of the bus when the driver presses a button. The complete charging process takes only six minutes.
The lithium ion iron phosphate charger provides the electric motor (150 kW) with power. The bus travels at least seven kilometers purely on electricity, before the Euro 6 diesel aggregate switches on. On the stretches driven only on electricity, the bus is completely emission-free and extremely low-noise: Near to a Volvo 7900 Electric Hybrid, the noise level can be compared to normal conversation level.
The Volvo 7900 Electric Hybrid also offers a high level of flexibility of use: In selected areas, it can be driven on electricity alone, while it can be deployed as a hybrid bus on all scheduled routes. The technology used in the electric hybrid bus is that of the successful Volvo 7900 diesel hybrid bus, which ensures a high level of availability.
