AUSTRALIA
With the delivery of its 50th hybrid bus, ComfortDelGro Corporation Australia (CDC) now operates Australia’s largest hybrid and most eco-friendly bus fleet. Since their introduction in Victoria in April 2019, the operator’s Volvo B5L S-Charge hybrid buses have been achieving reductions in emissions, noise pollution and fuel consumption while improving the passenger experience.
In just over three years, CDC says its Victoria hybrid fleet has reduced fuel use by over 826,000 litres and prevented the release of over 2,000 tonnes of greenhouse emissions, compared to the vehicles the hybrids replaced.
The 50 low-floor buses feature Volvo’s parallel hybrid driveline and meet Euro VI emission standards, and are also equipped with Volvo’s zone management technology, which allows the buses to implement safety zones on particular routes and achieve zero-emissions in designated zones by operating only in electric mode. CDC says the system has optimised its hybrid buses, elevating the fleet to the next level of performance without relying on the electricity grid.
CDC Victoria CEO Jeff Wilson said that the completion of the Melbourne hybrid fleet is a significant milestone in the company’s quest for reducing emissions: “CDC is committed to reducing greenhouse emissions and we have demonstrated this through investment and ongoing research into the available and developing technologies which can help us with our environmental goals and assisting governments with achieving net zero emissions by 2050,” he said. “The ready-for-use nature of Volvo’s hybrid technology has meant the hybrid bus fleet is already helping us to fulfil our goal of providing tangible environmental benefits while delivering our services without the need for major infrastructure changes.
“Receiving this 50th unit is also an exciting stepping-stone for CDC, as we are preparing to deploy eight new Volvo Volgren BZL Electric units progressively from November this year, as part of the Victorian ZEB trial.”
Volvo Bus Australia General Manager Mitch Peden added that it was a proud moment to witness the handover of the 50th unit and a pivotal milestone in CDC Victoria’s electromobility journey. “We have been very fortunate to work alongside CDC Victoria and Volgren over the years,” he said, “and it’s an absolute honour see this major electromobility milestone for CDC, which is integral to Victoria’s transition to zero-emissions public transport. Through our wonderful partnership with CDC Victoria and Volgren, we have been able to monitor and optimise our technical capability when it comes to supporting this hybrid technology and it has been key to informing our high-voltage products moving forward.”
