Swiss firm claims the vehicle can charge in three to six minutes and operate 24 hours a day as a result
A Volvo 7900e electric demonstrator has entered service with Arriva Kent Thameside on its Fastrack A service.
LF67 EVV will be running a supplementary schedule between Dartford and Bluewater from March 21 to May 9, as part of a UK-wide demonstration tour.
The right-hand drive, single-deck vehicle is intended to operate between approximately 0630 and 2230hrs every day, although it will be withdrawn on certain days to be used for demonstrations elsewhere. Currently-scheduled demonstration days include April 10 and 19, as well as May 1, 2 and 8.
Swiss company ABB’s OppCharge fast charging system has been installed outside Greenhithe train station, allowing the vehicle to charge within three to six minutes while in service – eliminating the need for overnight charging and allowing the bus to remain in use 24 hours a day if required.
The previous two legs of the demonstration tour took place in Manchester city centre and Heathrow Airport.
Frank Muehlon, Head of Global Business for EV Charging Infrastructure at ABB, commented: “We are proud to be partnering with Volvo and Kent County Council on delivering the third phase of the UK’s first ever fast charging bus installation. The usage and feedback from the first two phases of the pilot have been very encouraging and we are delighted to be able to now bring this sustainable urban mobility solution to Kent.
“We are confident that this trial will continue to demonstrate the huge improvement electric buses can make on the environmental impact of public transport, with this bus delivering up to 80% lower energy consumption than its regular diesel equivalent. We look forward to working closely with the bus industry and others to bring this exciting technology to all parts of the UK.”
Nick Page, Managing Director of Volvo Bus, added: “It has been exciting watching the full electric Volvo 7900e continue on its journey of demonstrations across the UK.
“The 7900e, which is part of the Volvo Electromobility range, has been making great strides throughout Europe with successful operations in Sweden, Belgium, Germany and Luxembourg. Increasingly vehicles and technologies are creating a new era in passenger transport, which offers a choice to customers and a variety of options to operators.
“At Volvo Bus we have a vision of supplying a blend of vehicles including hybrids, electric hybrids and full electric vehicles to towns and cities across the UK. Our advanced range of vehicles will significantly contribute to improving the environment for those who live, work and visit these places.”
KCC’s Head of Public Transport, Phil Lightowler, added: “We’re very proud to be only the second local authority to trial this innovative transport scheme.
“The trial will last for seven weeks as part of Volvo and ABB’s one-year demonstration trials around the country with the majority of costs being covered by both Volvo Bus and their technical partner ABB. The aim is to try this new innovative electric vehicle technology for ourselves and to show that electric buses with limitless range can work for the county.
“It has great benefits for improving air quality and reducing CO2 emissions, which are important to all of us and will allow us to provide evidence that electric vehicles can provide both financial and environmental benefits for the council in the longer term. If this proves a success it will allow us to build a case to roll out similar schemes across the county.”
