Volvo launches the market's first commercially viable hybrid bus

Volvo launches the market's first commercially viable hybrid bus

For the first time there is now a commercially viable hybrid bus on the market,
the Volvo 7700 Hybrid. With up to 30% lower fuel consumption and hybrid
components from Volvo, bus operators can earn a payback on the extra cost in
only five to seven years.


The demand for a substantial reduction in fuel consumption within the
transportation industry is growing increasingly stronger and for many reasons.
One of the most important is the need to reduce CO2 emissions that affect our
climate. Another is the extremely high price of oil and expected increase in the
foreseeable future. 

The Volvo 7700 Hybrid makes an important contribution to an improved
environment. The lower fuel consumption reduces the emission of the greenhouse
gas CO2 by up to 30%. The discharge of particles and nitrous oxides declines by
up to 40-50% compared with the diesel version. 
Hybrid technology has existed for a long time, but despite increased
environmental demands it has been too expensive and provided too little fuel
savings. This situation changes with the advent of the Volvo 7700 Hybrid. 

Large volumes

Volvo has chosen to develop a parallel hybrid with a technology that will be
used in buses as well as trucks and construction equipment within the Group.
Long term, this will involve larger volumes, which reduces costs.

Volvo's hybrid concept is called I-SAM and comprises a combined start motor,
electric motor, generator and an electronic control unit. I-SAM works together
with a diesel engine and Volvo's acclaimed I-shift gearbox. In addition, a
lithium-ion battery is used that is charged during braking via the electric
motor/generator. This battery then provides energy to the electric motor for
drive power.
As a parallel hybrid, the bus can be powered by the electric motor or the diesel
engine independently and well as by both engines simultaneously. As a result,
the bus could be equipped with a smaller, 5-liter diesel engine compared with
the 9-liter engine in the diesel version of the Volvo 7700. The bus's
performance is enhanced, but fuel consumption is reduced.

“Another major benefit with Volvo's hybrid technology is that the diesel engine
will be turned off at bus stops and traffic lights,” says Håkan Karlsson,
President of Volvo Bus Corporation. “The bus starts moving driven by the
electric motor and when the bus reaches 15-20 kph, the diesel engine starts up
automatically.”

This solution is a major benefit for the environment in cities. Passengers,
pedestrians and fellow road-users, are spared from noise and exhaust fumes. 

Volvo components

A significant reason for the fuel savings being so large as up to 30% in Volvo's
hybrid bus is that all hybrid components are developed by Volvo. 

“A common approach earlier was that bus manufacturers purchased hybrid
components externally and attempted to adapt them to their own bus, but this is
difficult,” relates Håkan Karlsson. “Since we developed the components
internally, we have been able to optimize the bus's fuel consumption fully. At
the same time we could ensure very high reliability.”

With many of today's hybrid solutions, the bus becomes substantially heavier
and, consequently, can carry fewer passengers. It is the opposite with the Volvo
7700 Hybrid. The bus weights only 100 kilograms more than a diesel version. As a
result of better weight distribution, it can carry up to seven more passengers
than its diesel counterpart.
The first buses will be delivered to customers during 2009, while mass
production begins in early 2010.

September 24, 2008

For further information, please contact Per-Martin Johansson, press officer, +46
31 322 52 00, per-martin.johansson@volvo.com 

Pictures are to find in the Volvo Bus image gallery, search for hybrid.
http://www.volvo.com/bus/global/en-gb/newsmedia/image+gallery/image+gallery.htm


Volvo Bus Corporation is one of 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, drive systems for marine and industrial applications, aerospace
components and services. The Group also provides complete solutions for
financing and service.