First Volvo pure electric buses enter service

Volvo’s first fully electric buses to be used outside of a trial environment have gone into service in Luxembourg, ahead of plans to sell the vehicles commercially in other markets.

The Volvo 7900 Electric uses a pure electric powertrain and ‘OppCharge’ opportunity charging, using ‘pantograph’ chargers that provide power to the buses’ batteries through a roof mounted charging apparatus.

The buses are 12 metres long and can carry up to 85 passengers, with zero tailpipe emissions.

The first four 7900 Electrics to enter service became operational in the Luxembourg city of Differdange last week as part of a fleet belonging to operator Sales-Lentz, which already has 12 electric hybrid and 30 diesel hybrid Volvo buses in service.

“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, said Håkan Agnevall, President of Volvo Buses . “Together with Differdange and Sales-Lentz we are in the vanguard of next-generation public transport.” 

The four electric buses are used on four routes with lengths from 8 to 9.5 km. Each bus is driven approximately 25 minutes, then the buses’ batteries are fast-charged in three to six minutes at the end stations.