HIGH CAPACITY, ENERGY EFFICIENCY KEY TO VOLVO ARTICULATED E-BUS

Fabian CotterOctober 28, 2019, 7:53 amOctober 28, 2019

FIRST-CLASS driveability up demanding hills, a 150 passenger capacity and 80 per cent lower energy consumption to an equivalent diesel bus are the hallmarks of Volvo’s new Busworld 2019-debuting articulated 7900 electric bus, the company states.

Imbued with the ability to handle a fully loaded start on a 20-degree uphill slope, the new 7900 articulated e-bus makes it ‘attractive to electrify even high-frequency bus routes with large numbers of passengers’, says Volvo Buses,

With space for 150 passengers and energy consumption that is a claimed 80 per cent lower than for a corresponding diesel bus, the new Volvo artic combines high passenger capacity with low running costs, the company states.

In order to meet the specific requirements of different cities and operators, the bus has a flexible construction and can be optimised to suit varying needs, it explains.

“In order to make it as simple as possible for our customers to take the step into an electrified future, the Volvo 7900 electric articulated is available as a turnkey solution at a fixed, predetermined cost per kilometre. We ensure that the operator always has a bus ready for the road, without the need to purchase it. Servicing, repairs, battery maintenance and driver training are all included,” explained Volvo Buses president Håkan Agnevall.

The company can also take care of the entire project management, from route simulation and analysis to implementation of charging infrastructure, it confirms.

DIFFERENT SET-UPS

Available in 18- and 18.7m lengths, and with two charging systems and powerful on uphill gradients, the Volvo 7900 electric articulated bus can have a varied number of batteries to provide the exact energy storage capacity needed for each vehicle, says Volvo.

Charging can take place either via quick-charge stations along the route (OppCharge), or via the main grid when the bus is parked in the depot (Combo2/CCS).

LOW NOISE, HIGH SAFETY

Designed to boost swift passenger movement and to give passengers a quiet and comfortable ride, the artic 7900 e-bus features four double doors, large uncluttered floor areas, ergonomically designed handrails and grab-handles, as well as Volvo-designed seats, Volvo states.

The cab gives the driver a commanding view of surrounding traffic and a comfortable driving position; the low noise level reduces the risk of tiredness and distraction, it claims.

A high-capacity climate control air-con unit ensures a pleasant temperature for passengers and driver alike, Volvo Buses adds. It can be equipped with Volvo Dynamic Steering, which significantly eases the driver’s work and reduces strain on the shoulders, arms and back, Volvo says.

It’s been engineered to be able to be driven in defined zones with particularly strict demands concerning noise, exhaust emissions and speed, such as zero-emission zones in urban centres and indoor bus stops, the company says. In order to further enhance safety for unprotected road users, the bus can be equipped with Safety Zone Management, which automatically prevents specified speed limits from being exceeded, and a pedestrian and cyclist detection System, which alerts the driver if there is a risk of collision with pedestrians or cyclists, the company confirms.