The Volvo website contains news stating that the Swedish Energy Authority has granted support to Volvo Buses for the development of its hybrid technology for buses.
The world is currently facing several problems and one of which is climate changes - regarded as one of the most severe. A mitigated use of fossil fuels is a holistic challenge for the society.
Edward Jobson, Environmental Manager at Volvo Buses, said that they expect to be able to lessen the fuel consumption of buses by up to 35 percent using Volvo's new hybrid technology.
Volvo has developed a parallel hybrid. This therefore implies that a smaller diesel engine and an electric engine will act in parallel or independently to drive the bus. This invention optimizes both diesel and electric power for the best possible performance and least possible environmental return.
For instance, the diesel engine can be completely turned off at bus stops and traffic signals. The bus is started solely because of the help of the electric engine, which is the result in an emission-free and very silent operation. And until some distance from the bus stop, the diesel engine is not started again.
Volvo Buses anticipates being able to sell its first hybrid buses within a few years from now. But a considerable amount of continued development work to make the buses commercially feasible is required by the advanced technology involved. Several types of subsidies are often required to make their use commercially viable, since the hybrid vehicles that are currently available in the market are extremely price eaters.
Edward Jobson added that they expect their hybrid buses to be much more cost-effective than the buses which are based on the current technology and that their "customers will ultimately be able to conduct their operations without requiring extra subsidies from society." He further explained that this is also vital if hybrid technology will have a huge effect on the market and contribute to a real mitigation in carbon dioxide emissions.
For its continued work on developing the hybrid driveline and the hybrid technology for two bus models, Volvo Buses subsidies has now been granted by the Swedish Energy Authority.
The batteries required for the hybrid bus will somewhat increase the weight of the vehicle. But because Volvo Buses has developed a parallel hybrid, the company can utilize a smaller and lighter engine, and thus keep passenger capacity at the same level as today's buses.
Volvo Buses expects to be able to largely trim down the weight of the bus as compared with today's buses. That would be made possible because of the lightweight body. As an aftermath, this would also result in a further reduction in fuel consumption.
Surely, Volvo fans can't wait to see the of those buses.
Volvo is the second largest bus manufacturer all over the world. It has a complete range of heavy buses to meet demanding customers' requirements for passenger transport solutions.
