Global pioneers in the business of bus making, Volvo now widens its portfolio of passenger buses in India with the launch of an entirely new range at the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo. Unveiled to the general public earlier this year, the new range will consist of a 14.5 metre long luxury coach – 9400 PX, a multi-axle city bus – 7400 XL and a well engineered inter-city coach – 9100. Volvo’s first ever CNG powered city bus debuted in New Delhi a few months ago as a part of a test initiative to the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC). However, at the 2012 Delhi Auto the Swedish bus maker has gone a mile higher with the unveiling of the world’s first commercially viable hybrid bus – the Volvo 7700 Hybrid.
While the company’s hybrid solutions have already been commercialized and are presently operating across 20 cities of the world with a proven track record, the 7700 Hybrid model is the first serial production model to implement this green technology. Present at the launch of its new range of multi-faceted coaches at the 2012 Auto Expo was Akash Passey, Managing Director & CEO, Volvo Buses in South Asia, who said, “The Volvo Hybrid is very much the solution cities & environmentalists have asked for. We are ready. All we await is the demand & the direction from the authorities, so that we can apply this solution specifically to Indian needs. The Volvo 7700 Hybrid has been unveiled to showcase our intent and readiness for India.”
Just like in normal hybrid passenger cars, the Hybrid bus will also use a smaller diesel engine and an electric motor, which may be used independently or jointly for forward propulsion. Some salient features of the 7700 Hybrid model from Volvo is the electric motor that regains charge as and when the bus is required to apply the brakes. Just like the start/stop technology seen in larger executive sedans for conserving fuel, the diesel engine in the 7700 also switches off completely, which also helps create a silent and exhaust-free environment at bus stops. Another distinct feature of this clean environment friendly new age passenger coach from Volvo is that it isn’t only efficient in highly congested city traffic, but functions equally well when there is a greater distance between bus stops.
