Volvo launches first hybrid bus in Asia-Pacific
Volvo Buses has delivered its first hybrid bus to the Asia-Pacific region and Australia. The Minister for Transport Western Australia, Troy Buswell, celebrated the launch of the new Volvo B5R Hybrid bus at the Volvo dealership in Guildford, Perth. The new hybrid bus will begin operations in March in Perth’s free inner city CAT* service run by the Public Transport Authority of Western Australia.
The hybrid bus is first of its kind in the Asia-Pacific region, but the technology has enjoyed increasing success in other markets with close to 1,000 sold worldwide since Volvo Buses first began commercial production of hybrid buses in 2010.
“Hybrid technology is an important option on the road for reducing vehicle emissions. As the technology continues to develop and we have the opportunity to test the suitability of our technology in new markets like Australia, we expect demand to keep growing worldwide,” says David Mead, General Manager of Volvo Bus Australia.
“Globally, Volvo hybrid technology has proven to save significant levels of fuel consumption, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by similar amounts,” says David Mead.
The Volvo B5R is assembled with a locally designed and built Volgren body following the same chassis and body approach of Volvo’s industry leading city chassis, the Volvo B7RLE.
The fully integrated parallel hybrid system used in the Volvo B5R allows the vehicle to operate on either electric only, diesel only or a combination of both depending on conditions and energy requirements.
The Volvo hybrid chassis is powered by an environmentally friendly EEV 5 litre diesel engine which generates 215hp. This is complimented by an electric motor capable of producing 120kW (160hp).
With low average speeds, high idle time and city congestion, the Perth CAT service provides ideal conditions for the optimum use of hybrid technology.
“The CAT service will give us the perfect opportunity to test the suitability of this unit for Australian conditions. It will allow us to directly compare the unit to the proven Volvo B7RLE units already operating in Perth”, says David Mead.
The electric motor acts both as a motor and a generator that recharges the battery when braking. At higher speeds the diesel engine and electric motor work together to power the bus along, while at lower speeds power can be electric only. Zero emissions are reached, when the diesel engine shuts off at lower speeds or during idling at a red light or bus stop.
Picture caption: The Minister for Transport, Western Australia, Troy Buswell, receives the keys for the Volvo Hybrid from Robyn Thomson, Volvo Buses.
For further information, please contact:
Helena Lind, Manager Media Relations, Volvo Bus Corporation
Phone: +46 (0)31-323 62 57
Volvo Bus Corporation is one of the the world’s largest manufacturers 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.
