14 DAY TRIAL // Later this week, Swedish multinational manufacturing company Volvo is expected to introduce the world to its latest creation: an eco-friendly bus that promises to help cities across the world green up their public transport fleets and cut carbon emissions.
Thus, should things go according to plan, the bus, officially known as the Volvo 7900 Electric Hybrid, will make its public debut at the International IAA Commercial Vehicles show in Hanover, Germany.
So, what's so great about this bus?
As mentioned, the Volvo 7900 Electric Hybrid has not yet been officially launched. Hence, we'll have to take its manufacturer's word for granted when it says that this four-wheelers is one of the greenest buses out there.
In a nutshell, multinational manufacturing company Volvo maintains that its new plug-in hybrid bus boasts a 75% lower fuel consumption and carbon dioxide production when compared to run-of-the-mill diesel buses.
What's more, the bus is said to cause virtually no noise pollution. Specifically, its manufacturer maintains that the noise produced by the 7900 Electric Hybrid falls within the range of normal conversation, which means that the four-wheeler has high chances to go unnoticed when driven up and down city streets.
Lastly, the Volvo 7900 Electric Hybrid, which measures an impressive 12 meters (nearly 40 feet) in length and can carry up to 95 passengers at a time, is said to need just 6 minutes to charge at end stations. Simply put, it's perfectly equipped to populate and thrive in urban areas.
“I am very proud to launch this ground-breaking bus system. Electric-hybrid buses and full-electric buses are tomorrow’s solution for urban public transport,” said Håkan Agnevall, the current president of the Volvo Bus Corporation.
“They will allow us to reduce energy consumption, air pollution, climate impact and noise, which are some of the biggest challenges facing large cities worldwide,” Håkan Agnevall went on to explain the need to replace diesel buses with eco-friendly four-wheelers.
Where will the bus make its first public appearance?
After being officially launched at the International IAA Commercial Vehicles show in Hanover, Germany, the bus will soon enough make its public debut. Thus, word has it that several cities across Europe are interested in adding it to their public transport fleets, and have even signed contracts with Volvo, Business Green informs.
Despite the fact that series production is not expected to start until early 2016, Hamburg, Luxembourg and Stockholm might start using the Volvo 7900 Electric Hybrid for public transport either by the end of this year or in 2015 at the latest.