INDIA The first Volvo hybrid bus pilot in India will start in Navi Mumbai with Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport in the first half of 2016. The Swedish manufacturer has sold over 5,300 buses and coaches in the country since 2001 and has about 1,500 city buses operating in 34 Indian cities. The hybrids will be manufactured at its facility in Bangalore.
Volvo is a leader in hybrid technology with more than 2,300 hybrid buses sold to over 20 countries. Fuel consumption is up to 39% lower than that of a regular diesel bus, which in turn cuts carbon dioxide emissions by the same amount and nitrogen oxides and particles by 50%. Volvo’s electric hybrids, offering fuel savings of 75% and are running in regular traffic in Gothenburg, Stockholm and Hamburg. In June 2015, route 55 commenced in Gothenburg, served by three all-electric buses and seven electric hybrids.
To promote the introduction of environmentally-friendly vehicles, the Indian government has recently launched the FAME India (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric vehicles in India) scheme, offering incentives.
“Volvo has a leading position in hybrid technology and electromobility”, said Håkan Agnevall, President Volvo Buses. “Hybrid buses are an important solution for cities that want to reduce vehicle emissions. I am very proud that Volvo is the first bus manufacturer to introduce hybrid buses in India.”
“The unveiling of the first Volvo hybrid city bus in India is contextual given the impetus from the central government to popularise public transport, while supporting the adoption of clean technology,” said Akash Passey, Senior Vice President, Region International, Volvo Buses. “Volvo has played a key role in redefining urban commute for millions of passengers in Indian cities. Now, with the Volvo hybrid city bus we are confident of transforming the public transport landscape further, by inspiring more cities to adopt this solution.”
