Volvo hybrid sales milestone

Volvo Buses has reached the milestone of selling over 2,000 hybrid buses. The vehicles have been sold in about 20 countries since their introduction in 2010, with the largest single market for them being Great Britain. Colombia, Sweden, Germany, Brazil and Switzerland are other countries that have purchased Volvo hybrids in large numbers. The total sales figures include Volvo Buses’ new electric hybrid, which was launched in 2014 and has so far been introduced in Hamburg, Stockholm and Gothenburg. The Volvo Buses range of complete hybrid buses encompasses the two-axle Volvo 7900 Hybrid, Volvo 7900 Articulated Hybrid and Volvo 7900 Electric Hybrid. June this year will see the start of regular operations using the first all-electric Volvo buses in Gothenburg.

President and CEO Volvo Buses, Hakan Agnevall, said, ‘With this ongoing success we are reinforcing our global lead in hybrid buses. Cities all over the world now regard electrified bus traffic as a cost efficient way of reducing the problems of poor air quality and noise. Our solution makes travel more attractive and improves the environment without the need for large investments in new infrastructure. The way we see it, urban public transport will require a mix of hybrids, plug-in hybrids and full-electric buses. Full-electric buses are highly suitable in the city centres, electric hybrids are excellent for somewhat longer routes, and hybrids are perfect for feeder traffic bringing commuters into the city.’