Volvo Buses India has launched a hybrid city bus in India. At a ceremony held in Mumbai on the sidelines of the Make in India Week, the prime minister of Sweden, Stefan Löfven handed the key of the bus to the chief minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Phadnavis. Set to ply in the city of Navi Mumbai under the aegis of Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport (NMMT), the hybrid bus is a variant of the Volvo 8400 diesel propelled city bus, 1,500 units of which are operating in 34 cities across India. Over the diesel propelled Volvo 8400 city bus, the hybrid bus is powered by a 5-litre four-cylinder diesel engine and an electric motor. A parallel hybrid, the bus is propelled on electric mode from the moment it starts moving, and until the time it gains the required momentum. This phenomenon repeats itself at every stop and start operation, and results in significant fuel savings and emission reduction. The batteries get charged during operations by the re-generative brake system.

Certified by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), the Volvo 8400 hybrid bus meets the Bus Body Code and the Urban Bus specification norms. It is equipped with active, passive and personal safety features. These include two fire extinguishers, hammers to break the glass, long hammers to help break the glass from outside, internal stop request and emergency stop request switches, external electric and pneumatic door operating switches, fire suppression system in the engine hatch area and more.

Similar in appearance and construction to the diesel propelled Volvo 8400 city bus, the hybrid bus is set to offer significant benefits like lower noise levels, both inside and outside the bus. Expected to directly impact the overall experience for passengers, the hybrid bus is also equipped with the Volvo I-Coaching feature, a one-of-its-kind on-board driver training system that ensures the best performance from the hybrid system. The telematics system with fleet and vehicle management capabilities monitors and generates fuel reports, vehicle health reports, specific battery usage and health monitoring feature. Said Akash Passey, Senior Vice President – Business Region International, Volvo Buses, “Volvo Buses has played a pioneering role in the area of bus-based public transport in many countries. From developing BRT related solutions, to cleaner technologies, Volvo has always taken the initiative with the intent to make a difference. The Volvo hybrid solution has a proven track record of saving 30 to 35 per cent fuel. The technology also enables up to 50 per cent reduction in hazardous emissions in actual customer operations.” Admiring Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation for imposing confidence and trust in Volvo, VRV Sriprasad, Business Head for India & South Asia – Volvo Buses, averred, “We are actively engaging with many more city authorities to promote hybrid technology. Going forward, Volvo Buses will strengthen its Electromobility programme in India.”