Bergkvarabuss buys Volvo hybrid buses for Karlskrona

Volvo Buses has received an order for 12 hybrid buses from the city of Karlskrona in south-east Sweden. The buyer is Sweden’s largest privately owned bus operator, Bergkvarabuss.

“After thoroughly examining the market for hybrid buses and checking out the various alternatives, we decided to go for Volvo. They offer a well thought-out, straightforward solution that meets our everyday operational expectations,” says Göran Mellström, President and CEO Bergkvarabuss.

The order from Bergkvarabuss is the most recent of many successes for Volvo Buses’ hybrid buses, more than 1350 of which have already been sold. The possibility of simultaneously cutting fuel consumption, climate impact, noise pollution and exhaust emissions is of considerable interest both to public traffic authorities and operators.

There are increasing demands for reduced energy consumption in contracts for the purchase of bus-based public transport, and electric hybrids are the best alternative. Experience shows that this technology also meets high demands on operating reliability and uptime.

The 12 hybrid buses destined for Karlskrona will enter regular traffic in September. They are the very latest model – the Volvo 7900 Hybrid – and feature an electric motor, a battery pack and a small diesel engine. They consume almost 40 per cent less fuel than a corresponding diesel bus. Emissions of carbon dioxide are cut by a similar amount. However, since they will run on biodiesel the total climate impact will be even lower. Emissions of nitrogen oxides and particulates are also extremely low, about 50 per cent less than with today’s cleanest diesel-powered buses.

Facts, Volvo 7900 Hybrid Euro 6

• Up to 39 % lower fuel consumption compared with corresponding diesel bus.
• 40-50 % lower exhaust emissions.
• Quiet, emission-free operation at bus stops.
• Powered by electricity/diesel or biodiesel.´
• Equipped with an electric motor, batteries and a small diesel engine.
• The diesel engine meets the EU’s new Euro 6 emission standards.
• The powertrain is a parallel hybrid, which means that the diesel engine and the electric motor can be used independently of one another.
• The batteries are charged by the energy produced whenever the vehicle brakes.
• The electric motor is used primarily for acceleration from standstill up to 15-20 km/h.
• Sales of Volvo’s hybrid buses have so far exceeded 1350 units, with customers in 21 different countries.

For further information, please contact:
Helena Lind, Manager Media Relations, Volvo Buses
Phone: 46 (0)31-323 62 57

Volvo Bus Corporation is one of the the world’s largest manufacturer of large buses and coaches. The range comprises complete vehicles, chassis, bus bodies, transport system solutions for metropolitan traffic, leasing, financing and service contract maintenance. Volvo Bus Corporation is part of the Volvo Group, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of trucks, buses and construction equipment and drive systems for marine and industrial applications. The Group also provides complete solutions for financing and service.

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