Next month, Gothenburg's public transport will get a little bit greener. The Swedish city will see the introduction of its first
fully ШУУД ҮЗЭХ electric buses.
According to Volvo, which makes the vehicles, they use 80 percent less energy than diesel equivalents.
The buses, which were announced back in 2013, are being introduced on a new route. Route 55 will run between the Lindholmen and Chalmers/Johanneberg areas of the city and will be served by three all-electric buses and seven electric-hybrid buses.
The new route is part of the ElectriCity scheme, through which research,
industry and city bodies seek to develop, demonstrate and evaluate the
next-generation of sustainable public transport. In addition to offering
quiet, exhaust-free buses, the route will see the buses powered by
electricity from renewable sources and passengers picked up indoors.
The buses measure 10.7 m (35.1 ft) long and can carry up to 86
passengers, with the central position of the driver’s seat helping to
maximize capacity. Volvo says they are designed to be modern and
welcoming with bright and airy interiors. Amongst their features are
power sockets for passengers to recharge their mobile phones and
on-board Wi-Fi.
The firm says that passengers also helped to shape the design of the
vehicles. Aspects that were developed through passenger input include
extra-wide and low-access doors for quick boarding and alighting, and a
spacious flat floor for good stroller and wheelchair access.
"This marks a major milestone in our development of new solutions for
electrified buses," says president of Volvo Buses Håkan Agnevall. "Quiet
and entirely exhaust-free operation will contribute both to a better
urban environment and reduced climate impact, while passengers get a
more pleasant ride."
The buses are currently undergoing final testing to ensure that they can
operate with no problems in regular city traffic. They will go into
operation on route 55 on June 15.
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