Volvo launches new BZR electric intercity platform

As alluded to in B&CB’s coverage from the UKCOA conference earlier this month, Volvo Buses has announced an electric intercity PCV chassis suitable for coach applications.

The new Volvo BZR Electric is a global platform for city, intercity and commuter operations. It is offered in several configurations, including high-floor, to maximise the possibilities for efficient, sustainable and profitable traffic for operators around the world, says Volvo.

The new product builds on the success of Volvo’s BZL bus chassis. The Volvo BZR Electric is a flexible platform that comes as high-floor or low-entry, in two- or three-axle configurations, with a single or dual motor driveline. It features a modular energy storage system where the number of batteries can be adjusted to match different types of operations. The Volvo BZR Electric is based on a Volvo Group common e-mobility architecture. This means that major components and sub-systems are manufactured in large volumes, which is an advantage when it comes to spare parts commonality and logistics. This in turn means more operator uptime.

The BZR platform is built for future flexibility. It is designed to enable versions for both Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and, later on, coach applications. At launch, the platform accommodates lengths from 9.5 to 15 meters, a maximum weight of 27,000 kg and traction power up to 400kW, or 540 hp.

In combination with the modular battery arrangement of up to 540 kWh, the Volvo BZR Electric is suitable for most of the applications in extended city and intercity operation.

“With the launch of the Volvo BZR Electric, we’re convinced that we now have a product and a complete offer that will be a long-term solution for customers worldwide” – Anna Westerberg, president of Volvo Buses

Anna Westerberg, president of Volvo Buses, said: “We have a firm ambition to accelerate our efforts to meet the global demand for electromobility solutions. Therefore, it’s logical to extend our electromobility offer to include solutions for intercity, transit, and commuter operations. The BZR Electric is a globally offered platform that we can adapt to the variety in requirements of customers worldwide. It’s another major step for us in our efforts to provide efficient and sustainable transport solutions – today and in the future.

“Electromobility is still a growing, fast-moving business, and at Volvo Buses we have gathered more than a decade of first-hand experience, together with customers and partners. With the launch of the Volvo BZR Electric, we’re convinced that we now have a product and a complete offer that will be a long-term solution for customers worldwide.”

The Volvo BZR Electric comes with all of Volvo Buses’ active safety systems. These include several safety features with a special focus on the protection of vulnerable road users such as cyclists and pedestrians. One example is the collision warning system. It doesn’t only react to vehicles, which is the legal requirement, but also to pedestrians and cyclists.