One hundred fifty-seven new Volvo electric buses are set to hit the streets in Gothenburg, Partille, and Molndal in 2020. The coaches, powered by charging technology from ABB, will start operations late this year.
The news is in line with Sweden’s vision of being a climate-neutral by 2050, and a critical milestone in achieving sustainable public transportation. Buses form a significant component of transportation in the region, with more than 180 million trips each year.
Volvo, in conjunction with ABB, is supplying 157 new buses and supporting the necessary charging infrastructure Transdev, the bus operator.
How the Electric Buses will Operate
Electric bus operations will start in December 2020. A total of 19 new high-power electric chargers will be installed in the second half of 2020 before buses start operations.
Buses in Gothenburg, Partille, and Mölndal, will charge using 450kW high power Panto Down chargers from ABB. The charging systems use a modular solution based on OppCharge, an open interface for direct current (DC) electric bus charging. As such, the solution promises high-charging via an automated rooftop solution.
ABB will supply a complete solution with all the necessary hardware to make the project a reality. That includes high-power charges, a part of ABB’s innovative ABB Ability™ offering of digital solutions and services across all business areas. The chargers’ web connectivity allows network operators to perform remote monitoring and configuration, thus improving efficiency.
Each bus will take between three to six minutes to recharge along the routes.
Sustainable Transportation
The new buses combine high passenger capacity and low environmental footprint. They have room for 150 passengers and a projected 88 percent reduction in CO2.
According to Hakan Agnevall, President, Volvo Buses, “Volvo Buses is a leader in electro-mobility and solutions for sustainable public transport. Together with ABB and our partners, we have created a common holistic transport solution that will make public transport in Gothenburg quieter and emission-free. The solution shows that electric buses are not only something for the future, but already today provide cities with public transport that is sustainable and financially viable.”
ABB, on its part, is a world leader in electric vehicle infrastructure. It offers a full range of charging and electrification solutions for electric buses, cars, hybrids, ships, and railways.
To date, ABB has sold over 13,000 ABB DC fast chargers across 80 countries. It has been in the EV market since 2010.
The company offers products and services that provide increased sustainability in the industry. Its goal is to increase sales of solutions and systems for increased sustainability from the current 50 percent to over 60 percent by the end of 2020.
Electrifying Gothenburg’s public transportation is just a step in that direction.
