Complete solutions for electrified bus traffic, more fuel-saving products, a unique system that increases safety for unprotected road-users and a fresh scientific study showing how Volvo Dynamic Steering improves the driver’s working environment. These were Volvo Buses’ key focus areas at IAA Commercial Vehicles 2016 fair held in Hannover from September 22 to 29.
For the first time ever, Volvo Buses revealed its entire range of electrified city buses – hybrids, electric hybrids and all-electric buses – to a wide audience. With their quiet operation, low energy consumption and little or no emissions, electrified vehicles create new opportunities to transition to sustainable public transport. In order to make it easier for cities and operators to make the switch, Volvo offers fully comprehensive solutions encompassing vehicles, service and charging infrastructure, whereby the operator leases both the bus and its battery.
Energy efficiency in focus
Even with its long-distance buses, Volvo is focusing firmly on energy efficiency and the environment. Among the new features is Dynamic Chassis Lowering, a system that automatically lowers the bus’s chassis at speeds above 80 km/h to reduce air drag and thus cut fuel consumption.
At the same time, Volvo’s I-Shift transmission was unveiled in a new version with smoother and faster gear changing, low internal power loss and high energy efficiency. I-Shift is now being combined with a new oil pre-heater, intended primarily for markets with cold winters. The pre-heater ensures that the gearbox oil is always at the right temperature, resulting in better lubrication and lower friction.
I-See is yet another new function that contributes to lower fuel consumption and higher comfort. The first time a bus equipped with I-See is driven on a hilly stretch of road, information about the road conditions are stored in the vehicle’s on-board database. The next time the bus is driven on the same road, this information is used to optimise gear changes, acceleration and engine braking. I-See can deliver a fuel saving of as much as 2.5 per cent, depending on the road topography.
Enhanced safety
Safety naturally takes centre stage on the Volvo Buses stand. With the Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection System, Volvo is taking a new initiative to raise safety for unprotected road users, for instance at pedestrian crossings and bus stops. The system notifies nearby road users that the bus is approaching by transmitting an artificial background sound. If there is a risk of an incident, the bus’s horn is activated and the driver is alerted by both audible and visual signals. Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection will be introduced on Volvo’s city buses in 2017.
Better working environment for drivers
The award-winning Volvo Dynamic Steering (VDS), which compensates for unevenness in the road surface, aids in safe maneuvering and reduces the risk of muscular strain, was introduced on Volvo’s long distance buses a year ago. Today more than half of all Volvo buses sold in Europe are equipped with VDS. Now a fresh scientific study by VTI, the Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute, reveals how the system reduces strain on muscles and joints. On an average, it requires 20 to 30 per cent less muscular activity to turn the bus, and in certain manoeuvers strain is reduced by as much as 70 per cent. The 20 drivers who were part of the study, all experienced a significant improvement in their work situation.