Aimed at delivery of complete electrified bus solutions to cities
Volvo Buses and ABB have signed a global partnership agreement relating to automatic e-bus chargers for electric-hybrid and full-electric Volvo buses. The co-operation will enable the companies to deliver complete electrified bus solutions in cities.
Under agreement, Volvo Buses will supply electric-hybrid buses and full-electric buses, while ABB will supply standard-based fast-charging solutions for electric vehicles.
“We are delighted to enter into partnership with ABB. Together, we have a complete and competitive offer for cities around the world that want to switch to a sustainable public transport system,” said Håkan Agnevall, President Volvo Buses. “Electric-hybrid buses and full electric buses are tomorrow’s solution for urban public transport. Volvo will team up with a few global actors in this field, and ABB is one of them.”
“We are very pleased to partner with a global transportation industry leader which shares our vision of e-mobility in line with ABB’s commitment of power and productivity for a better world,” said Pekka Tiitinen, head of ABB’s Discrete Automation and Motion division. “Urbanization is at a historic high and is stretching the transport infrastructure of cities around the world. Our collaboration will help to support sustainable and cost-efficient transportation solutions to meet rising commuter demand.”
The partnership involves working towards standardization of automatic e-bus fast charging on the market. This can include the communications protocol between infrastructure charging solution and e-bus, electrical interface, and specification of the automatic connection system (ACS) fixed on the roof of the bus connecting the vehicle with the fast charger at selected charging stops.
The first joint project to be taken up will be the implementation of Volvo Electric Hybrids and automatic e-bus chargers in the Luxembourg public transport system. Potentially 12 Volvo electric hybrid buses operated by Sales-Lentz will be running on the existing bus routes in Luxembourg from 2015. Sales-Lentz is an early adopter and was the first European operator running Volvo hybrids in 2009.
This project is another classic example of a public & private partnership between Sales-Lentz, the ministries of Luxembourg and Volvo Buses. The project is integrated into Luxembourg’s Mobility Network (LMN), a network that links different mobility projects in the Grand Duchy to exploit synergies and develop common visions for the mobility of the future.
The Volvo Electric Hybrid, which reduces energy consumption by 60 per cent compared with a conventional diesel bus, will be officially launched at the IAA exhibition in Hannover in September. Volvo’s first full electric buses will be launched in June 2015 within the ElectriCity project in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Volvo Buses launched its first hybrid bus in 2009 and has delivered nearly 1,600 hybrids to 21 countries. The company is a leader in electro mobility.
As a leader in power and automation technologies, ABB plays a vital role in the development of sustainable modes of transport by providing efficient charging infrastructure solutions for electric vehicles. ABB technologies ensure intelligent infrastructure networks with an industry leading uptime while maintaining good power quality in the grid. As the market leader in fast charging solutions, ABB delivered over 1,500 DC fast-charging systems for passenger vehicles worldwide since 2010, and rolled out charging networks for automotive, utility, government and retail customers, including nationwide networks in the Netherlands, Estonia, Denmark.
Volvo’s electric hybrid bus• The bus is equipped with an electric motor that is powered by lithium batteries. It also has a small diesel engine. • The bus is charged quickly at charging stations via an overhead power connection. • The bus can be driven about seven kilometres on electricity alone, covering the distance silently and entirely without exhaust emissions. • Enables indoor bus stops • 75% fuel saving • 60% energy reduction • 75% CO2 reduction • Recharging 6 minutes at end stations Volvo’s full electric bus• Electrical drive 100 % of the route, silent and emission-free • Enables indoor bus stops • 80 % energy reduction • No local exhaust emissions • 99 % CO2 reduction • Recharging 6 min at end stations ABB off-board automatic e-bus fast chargers• Standards-based charger using the proven and safe CCS (EN61851-23) protocol • On-route and depot charging solutions • Flexibility in connecting to different electricity-grid situations • Remote management and service solutions together with high quality hardware provides industry leading uptime • ABB connected services offer flexibility to connect to added-value systems, easy upgrading & cost efficiency • Configurations with several power levels up to 300 kW are available depending on the bus and location • Includes an Automatic Connection System to seamlessly connect to the roof of the Volvo bus without the need for driver intervention |