Polish city is latest to select Volvo to meet its electrification plans
The city of Grudziadz in northern Poland has ordered seven Volvo 7900 electric hybrids, the second order for the manufacturer’s electric hybrid buses in the country.
Earlier this year Inowroclaw ordered eight electric hybrids and eight fully electric buses.
The latest buses, which will be delivered in spring 2019, are being sold as a turnkey package whereby Volvo takes care of all vehicle and battery maintenance.
They will be fast charged at the end stops via pantographs.
The charging stations, which will be delivered by Heliox, will be based on the common interface OppCharge, whereby the charging stations can also be used by electrified buses from other vehicle manufacturers too.
Energy consumption for Volvo’s electric hybrid buses is about 60% lower than for corresponding diesel buses.
Emission of carbon dioxide is reduced by 75 to 90% and the vehicles can run in electric mode for about 70% of the route.
Flexible operation is possible because the buses can run as electrics in selected areas while a small diesel engine offers extended range.
“This solution allows for a completely different perspective of the city planning,” said Malgorzata Durda, Bus Manager, Volvo Buses Poland.
“It is possible to create zero-emission, exhaust-free zones since the electric hybrid has the ability to drive fully electrically in such zones.
“It opens up for bus stops inside for example shopping malls and hospitals.”
Volvo has now sold 112 electrified buses in Poland.
Its hybrid buses have previously been delivered to the cities of Wroclaw, Sosnowiec, Inowroclaw, Jelenia Góra, Tarnowskie Góry and Warsaw, and recently the company won tenders for delivery to Kraków, Bialystok and Krosno.
The 35 delivered to Sosnowiec last year is the largest order for Volvo hybrids in the country to date.
