Volvo’s Nova Bus and STM to test three electric buses and two rapid charging stations in Montréal
23 November 2013
Volvo Group’s North American subsidiary, Nova Bus, and the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) have entered into an agreement on an electrification project for the public transit system of Montréal, Canada. The MoU formalizes the intention of testing three Nova LFSe electric buses and two charging stations in Montréal.
The goal is to have the electric buses operational for demonstration in the third quarter of 2015 and in regular traffic for three years, beginning in 2016. The three fully electric buses will be used in city operations in Montréal and charge rapidly at bus terminals.
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| Nova LFSe electric bus. Click to enlarge. |
Montréal thus will be the first city in North America to take part in the Volvo Group City Mobility program. This program brings together key players to implement sustainable and integrated innovative pilot projects. The City Mobility program includes new technologies for improving energy efficiency and reducing emissions, developed by Volvo, such as hybrid and electric vehicles.
This strategic partnership aims to make Montréal a leading city with innovative solutions for electric transit. It is in line with the Government of Quebec’s Transportation Electrification Strategy for 2020 to significantly lessen its ecological print and the City of Montréal’s target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30% in 2020, compared to 1990 levels.
The deployment of the City Mobility Program is in progress in several cities around the world, such as Göteborg, Stockholm, Hamburg and Luxembourg.
The Volvo Nova e-Bus seems to be a duplication of the Volvo Europe e-City Bus. Are we paying twice for the same and/or equivalent development program?
A version of Nova's e-Bus will have an on-board genset for emergencies and as an range extender.
Montreal will also test e-Buses from two other manufacturers including BYD's unit already in operation in half a dozen large cities.
The winner or winners, for about 4000 units with a 300 to 400/year replacement rate, may not be known before 2017/18.
Posted by: HarveyD | 23 November 2013 at 09:03 AM
Your point?
'Strategic Partnerships' imply that the city will contribute to the infrastructure installation training etc that will not come cheap.
However in common with other offerings the emissions are free:
"The goal is to have the noiseless and emission-free buses operational for demonstration in the third quarter of 2015 and in regular traffic for three years, beginning in 2016. - See more at:
http://news.volvogroup.com/2013/11/22/montreal-to-become-city-of-electro-mobility/#sthash.DafPHpz7.dpuf
Posted by: Arnold | 23 November 2013 at 01:45 PM
I live in montreal. I will try to try these bus next year for fun of running on hydro-electricity. &?T&%) petrol.
Posted by: Gorr | 23 November 2013 at 07:18 PM
It seems that BYD China may be 2 to 3 years ahead of Volvo Europe and Volvo Nova Canada with city e-buses.
The BYDs are probably 30% to 40% cheaper.
The buy Canadian/American regulations & import tariffs will probably favor the Nova units even if they are 2 to 3 years late and cost 40% more.
Posted by: HarveyD | 24 November 2013 at 12:55 PM