The first commercially manufactured all-electric Volvo buses started operating in the city of Differdange at the beginning of this month.  

“The start of operations with the Volvo 7900 Electric marks yet another important step for all of us who work for a cleaner, quieter urban environment and more attractive public transport. Together with Differdange and Sales-Lentz we are in the vanguard of next-generation public transport,” said Håkan Agnevall, President of Volvo Buses.

Differdange’s focus on electrically powered buses is part of the city’s sustainability drive, with public transport forming a crucial focus area. The four electric buses are used on four routes of between 8 to 9.5 kilometres. Each bus is driven approximately 25 minutes before their batteries are fast-charged in around five minutes at their end stations. The charging stations were supplied by Heliox.  

“Full electric was the next logical step after electric-hybrid, ahead in our strategy for sustainable urban mobility. Beginning September 2016, Sales-Lentz Autocars was commissioned a major project in green urban mobility: the Differdange-city buses 100% electric 12m urban buses. Start of operation: 2 May 2017. We are excited to have done this turn-around in exactly nine months with a very strong team formed of Volvo Gothenburg, Volvo Competence Centre in Luxembourg, the city of Differdange, Heliox, ElectroWatt, Sales-Lentz technical department, and several other strong partners”, said Jos Sales, director of Sales-Lentz.

In addition to the all-electric Volvo 7900 Electric, the Volvo Buses range of electrified vehicles includes hybrid buses and electric hybrid buses (plug-in hybrids). All told, the company has sold more than 3300 electrified Volvo buses globally.  

The Volvo 7900 Electric bus is a two-axle, 12 metre long city bus with a low floor and three doors that can carry 85 passengers. It has an 80% lower energy consumption than a comparable diesel bus. The engine is silent, and exhaust free, equipped with an electric motor and lithium-ion batteries. 

The OppCharge (Opportunity Charging) point is an open interface between charging station and vehicle, with a charging power of 150, 300 or 450kW.  A pantograph fitted to the overhead pylon makes it possible to use a cost-effective solution with low weight on the bus roof. Conductive charging using current collectors, with communication between bus and charging station via Wi-Fi.