Volvo Buses officially launching plug-in 7900 Electric Hybrid; up to 75% reduction in fuel consumption
26 August 2014
Volvo Buses will officially launch the plug-in 7900 Electric Hybrid bus at the International IAA Commercial Vehicles show in September. The plug-in technology reduces fuel consumption and carbon dioxide by up to 75%, compared to a conventional diesel bus. Total energy consumption is reduced by 60%. Three Volvo Electric Hybrids have run in a field test in Gothenburg the past year, a test which has verified the reduction in energy consumption and emissions. (Earlier post.)
A number of European cities are showing interest in the Electric Hybrids. Hamburg, Luxembourg and Stockholm have already signed up for supplies of the buses in 2014 and 2015. Serial production is scheduled to commence early 2016.
Noise is a growing problem in many cities. The noise level near to an Electric Hybrid is 65 decibels, i.e. normal conversation level. The Volvo 7900 Electric Hybrid runs in electric mode in average 70% of the route.
The Volvo 7900 Electric Hybrid can run as an electric bus in selected areas, and performs as a hybrid on any route. Charging at end stations takes 6 minutes. The Volvo 7900 Electric Hybrid shares the technology of the well-proven Volvo 7900 Hybrid, securing high uptime and availability.
PHEV buses are the way to go IMO, as long as they are not too expensive.
You could combine this with busbaar charging to overhead catenaries and so charge it in more places (with less dead time at the ends of the run).
A PHEV bus is so much more flexible than a pure electric one.
They should particularly be used in very polluted places (like Oxford St in London).
Posted by: mahonj | 26 August 2014 at 03:43 AM
I must agree. A PHEV drivetrain gets the most out of a battery while actually replacing liquid fuel with electricity. 75% displacement of diesel fuel allows up to 75% reduction in carbon emissions. When the engine isn't running, it isn't emitting noise either.
Posted by: Engineer-Poet | 26 August 2014 at 06:28 AM
Total energy consumption is reduced by 60%.
That shows you the inherent efficiency of electric drives right there. The plugged-in power isn't just displacing the energy the buses are carrying in the fuel, it's reducing energy consumption in general.
Posted by: ai_vin | 27 August 2014 at 08:44 AM
Volvo Canada will manufacture PHEV and BEV city buses for Canadian cities and export.
It is basically the same e-bus with optional on board diesel range extender.
The BEV version will be very effective in BC, Manitoba, Quebec and Ontario provinces where e-energy is from hydro and/or nuclear.
Posted by: HarveyD | 27 August 2014 at 09:37 AM