The Luxembourg-based transit agency AVL (Autobus de la ville de Luxembourg) has arranged to purchase 5 new electric hybrid buses from Volvo, according to an email sent to CleanTechnica and EV Obsession.
The email also notes that ABB will be supplying the electric bus chargers to be used in conjunction with the new buses. Volvo will be responsible for vehicle and battery maintenance (provided for a fixed monthly cost).
The new order for 5 Volvo 7900 Electric Hybrids and ABB bus chargers is expected to be fulfilled before the end of the year.
“The decision to operate the first electric hybrid plug-in buses by the end of 2016 in the City of Luxembourg perfectly aligns with our continuous efforts to create a sustainable city. The society will immediately benefit from this project through a cleaner environment, reduced noise levels and increased comfort during bus journeys. This ambitious pioneering project represents the starting point in our endeavour to a zero emission urban bus system for the City of Luxembourg in the near future,” stated Sam Tanson, First Deputy Mayor of the City of Luxembourg, in charge of Finance and Mobility.
The purchase is part of the government’s plan to reduce overall carbon emissions by 20% by 2020.
Here’s some information on the technology in question (from the email):
Volvo 7900 Electric Hybrid
* Can be powered by electricity for up to 70% of operating time.
* Quiet and exhaust-free when running on electricity.
* 60% lower energy consumption than a corresponding diesel bus.
* 75-90% lower emissions of carbon dioxide compared with a conventional diesel bus, depending on the fuel used.
* Equipped with an electric motor, batteries and a small diesel engine.
* The batteries are recharged at the end terminals in a few minutes.
ABB bus chargers
* Easy to integrate into existing bus lines (inverted pantograph enables use of a low-cost and low weight interface on roof of the bus)
* Modular design offering charging power of 150 kW, 300 kW or 450 kW
* ABB’s proven suite of connectivity features enables maximum availability, high uptime and fast service response.
* Based on IEC 61851-23, the international standard for fast charging of electric vehicles ensuring the appropriate safety systems are in place, the electrical design is in accordance with regulations, and the systems architecture and working principle are supported by wider automotive community in future.