Volvo Buses unveiled the worldís first commercially viable hybrid bus – the Volvo 7700 Hybrid – at Auto Expo. Also on display in Volvoís green-carpeted pavilion was the New Volvo bus range, including the Volvo 9400PX coach, the Volvo 9100 coach and the Volvo 7400XL multi-axle city bus.
Volvo commenced the serial production for Europe of the Volvo 7700 Hybrid in May 2010. This bus was developed following several years of research & development of the hybrid technology.
Since its launch, the Volvo Hybrid solution has emerged as a commercially viable bus and has been adopted for regular use in countries in the Americas and Europe. Eight out of 10 customers have thus far returned for repeat purchase of these buses. In December 2011, Volvo Buses had secured orders for over 450 hybrid buses from Mexico, Brazil and Europe.
Mr. Akash Passey, Managing Director & CEO, Volvo Buses in South Asia, said: ìAt Volvo we have what is considered today as the worldís most efficient hybrid solution. The Volvo 7700 Hybrid has been unveiled to showcase our intent and readiness for India. Itís not a concept, itís a reality because itís been out there running on the roads around the world in over 20 countries for over 2 years now. This product is available on road and can be brought into India as and when the market or customers desire.î
The Volvo 7700 Hybrid is equipped with a smaller diesel engine and an electric motor, which can be used independently or jointly. The electric motor is driven by energy from a battery that is charged when the bus brakes. At bus stops, the diesel engine switches off completely. This creates a silent and exhaust-free environment at bus stops. The bus then restarts only with the help of the electric engine. The diesel engine does not start until the bus reaches 15-20 km/hour.
ìItís about green efficiency, reducing emissions, reducing fuel consumption by 35-37% and, most importantly, hazardous emissions down by 50%. We think this is a quantum leap in citiesî, he added.
Another advantage is that the bus generates significant fuel savings regardless of where it operates. Many of the older hybrid solutions are efficient only in highly congested city traffic, but Volvoís technology functions equally well when there is a greater distance between bus stops.
Commenting on the bus design, he said: ìItís based on the parallel integrated design. Itís not a combination of different aggregates taken from different suppliers to make a hybrid bus. Volvo has its blood into it in terms of being involved in the designing process and more or less being the main component designer, being the producer for most of the components.î
The Volvo 9400PX is longer, more spacious and more high-performing and comes with a host of new features to make travel even more comfortable. At 14.5m the Volvo 9400PX is the longest inter-city coach yet in India. It has the unique distinction of being a global introduction, starting from India, and the first product of its type in the Volvo product range too.
The Volvo 7400XL is Indiaís first multi-axle bus with a steered axle. At 14.5m, it is Indiaís first city bus ready to support efficient mass bus-based transport systems to move more people, with fewer buses, quicker & with less resource utilisation. Volvo 7400XL will take the Volvo City Bus Concept to a new level.
Mr. Passey remarked: ìVolvo has always been known in India to have played a leading role in developing the top segments. We have very clearly last year stated our interest to go down in terms of increasing our presence in the Indian bus segment through many different segments in addition to the premium segment we operate today. Keeping that in line, Volvo Buses with its engineering capabilities in India and in Asia has made a bus for Asia, made in Asia, in India; thatís the 9100 coach ñ 11.5 m, which is expected to be about 20-25% lower in price than our current product range which we already have in India.î
The Volvo 9100 coach is an integral part of Volvo Busesí ambition to drive quality of transport across the country to more and more cities and routes. The new coach embodies the Volvo values for safety, quality and care for environment. It is a global introduction, developed in Asia, starting from India. It is a product to cater to Tier 2 & 3 cities in India and takes Volvo buses into new market segments in the country, thereby expanding the market potential significantly.
Why Volvo 7700 Hybrid?
- Proven in widespread commercial operation
- New lighter body design
- Increased passenger capacity
- Up to 37% fuel savings
- 40-50% lower exhaust emissions
- Quiet and emission-free at bus stops
- Optimised for both inner city and suburban traffic conditions
- Backed by a comprehensive business solutions package