CDC has welcomed a milestone into Australia’s largest hybrid bus fleet, courtesy of Volvo Bus Australia and Volgren
Operator ComfortDelGro Corporation Australia (CDC) says it is delivering on its promise to reduce carbon emissions by announcing the arrival of its 50th hybrid bus in Australia.
The vehicle joins Australia’s largest hybrid bus fleet run by subsidiary CDC Victoria in partnership with the Department of Transport to celebrate a special Victorian public transport milestone.
Following the 2019 introduction of the Volvo B5L S-Charge hybrid bus to CDC Victoria, Volvo Bus Australia, in partnership with Volgren Australia, handed over the hybrid as part of its supply agreement.
The historic Australian fleet operates on Melbourne streets, delivering reductions in emissions, noise and fuel consumption while improving the passenger experience.
All 50 of the low-floor buses feature Volvo’s Parallel hybrid driveline and meet strict Euro 6 emission standards, with CDC saying the buses have enabled fuel savings of around 30 per cent and carbon dioxide emissions of 30 per cent compared to diesel buses.
The vehicles are also fitted with Volvo’s Zone Management technology, which allows the buses to implement safety zones on particular routes and achieve zero-emissions in designated zones by operating only in electric mode.
The system has optimised CDC’s existing hybrid buses, elevating the fleet to the next level of performance without relying on the electricity grid.
CDC Victoria CEO Jeff Wilson says the completion of the Melbourne hybrid fleet is a significant milestone in the company’s quest for reducing emissions.
“CDC is committed to reducing greenhouse emissions and we have demonstrated this through investment and ongoing research into the available and developing technologies which can help us with our environmental goals and assisting governments with achieving net zero emissions by 2050,” Wilson says.
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“The ready-for-use nature of Volvo’s hybrid technology has meant the hybrid bus fleet is already helping us to fulfil our goal of providing tangible environmental benefits while delivering our services without the need for major infrastructure changes.
“Receiving this 50th unit is also an exciting stepping-stone for CDC, as we are preparing to deploy eight new Volvo Volgren BZL Electric units progressively from November this year, as part of the Victorian ZEB trial.”
Volvo Bus Australia General Manager Mitch Peden says it was a proud moment to witness the handover of the 50th unit and a pivotal milestone in CDC Victoria’s electromobility journey.
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“We have been very fortunate to work alongside CDC Victoria and Volgren over the years and it’s an absolute honour see this major electromobility milestone for CDC, which is integral to Victoria’s transition to zero-emissions public transport,” Peden says.
“Through our wonderful partnership with CDC Victoria and Volgren, we have been able to monitor and optimise our technical capability when it comes to supporting this hybrid technology and it has been key to informing our high-voltage products moving forward.”