Volvo’s home town, the Swedish city of Gothenburg, has become something of a center for electric bus research, as the company operates pilots of electric and plug-in hybrid buses, some using dynamic wireless charging.

This month the city opened its first fully operational route featuring electric buses. Bus route 55, which runs through the city center, has three pure electric and seven plug-in hybrid Volvo buses. The buses recharge at terminal stops using a roof-mounted apparatus.

All the buses are powered solely by wind and hydroelectric power, and are billed as among the most modern in the world. They feature onboard WiFi and phone charging facilities, and passengers can enter and exit the buses from an indoor terminal, a welcome feature in snowy Sweden, and one that no diesel bus can hope to offer.

The electric buses were made possible by ElectriCity, a collaboration among  Volvo, the local university and several government agencies that is also developing new traffic management and energy supply systems.                        

“The Volvo Group aims to be the world leader in sustainable transport solutions. A unique collaboration in Gothenburg enables us to launch the electric bus route here and remain a leader in the development of future public transport,” says Niklas Gustafsson, Chief Sustainability Officer, Volvo Group.

Source: Volvo