Volvo first started testing its hybrid buses near its home base in Sweden in 2009, and the following year began serial production. In 2012, Volvo had orders for more than 150 buses in Europe. The company that year also started field testing hybrid buses in Mexico City and Brazil. In all, Volvo has built about 1,600 hybrid buses, showing just what a big deal the 475 for Quebec are. Check out Volvo’s press release below.
GÖTEBORG, Sweden–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Regulatory News:
Volvo Buses’ North American subsidiary, Nova Bus, has received an order for 475 hybrid buses from Quebec in Canada. This is the single largest order for hybrid vehicles that the Volvo Group has ever signed to date. The buses are scheduled for delivery beginning of 2014.
With a total of more than 1600 delivered hybrid buses Volvo Buses is the world leader in the fast-expanding market for hybrid buses. Now the company’s North American subsidiary, city bus manufacturer Nova Bus, has received an order for 475 hybrid buses from the province of Quebec in Canada. This largest-ever single order for hybrid vehicles confirms Volvo Buses’ position both in North America and globally. Delivery of the 475 LFS HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) buses will start in 2014. The order also encompasses an option for a further 1200 vehicles.
Long-term cooperation The customer, ATUQ, is a consortium consisting of the province’s nine transit authorities.”This order underlines the strong relationship ATUQ and Nova Bus have developed over the years,” said Jean-Pierre Baracat, President of Nova Bus. “ATUQ has renewed its confidence in our vehicles once again, and we are glad to continue to work together to further enhance transit services in our communities.”
Environmentally optimised technology Compared with conventional diesel-powered buses, the Nova LFS HEV offers approximately 30% lower fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. In parallel with the continued enhancement of hybrid technology, Nova Bus is working on the development of other environmentally optimised solutions such as plug-in hybrids and all-electric buses.
“One important part of Nova Bus’ vision is to be a leader in green efficiency and electro-mobility. We believe that lower-emissions buses help meet urban challenges such as congestion and improve quality of life,” says Stefan Tilk, President Business region Americas,Volvo Buses.
Volvo Bus Corporation is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of large buses and coaches. The range comprises complete vehicles, chassis, bus bodies, transport system solutions for metropolitan traffic, leasing, financing and service contract maintenance. Volvo Bus Corporation is part of the Volvo Group, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of trucks, buses and construction equipment and drive systems for marine and industrial applications. The Group also provides complete solutions for financing and service.
