Global InformationVolvo 7900 information
| Volvo 7900 | |
|---|---|
 First Berkshire & The Thames Valley Volvo 7900H bodied B5LH on Kensington High Street in May 2014 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Volvo |
| Production | 2011–present |
| Assembly | Wrocław, Poland |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Complete bus |
| Body style | Single-decker rigid bus Single-decker articulated bus |
| Doors | 1, 2, 3 or 4 |
| Floor type | Low floor |
| Chassis | Volvo B5LH, Volvo B9L, Volvo B9LA |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | Volvo D5F, D5K, D9B, G9B |
| Capacity | 40 to 68 seated |
| Transmission | Volvo I-Shift 12 speed |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 10.6, 12.0, 18.0 metres |
| Width | 2.55 metres |
| Height | 3.04 metres |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Volvo 7700 |
The Volvo 7900 is an integrally-constructed single-decker rigid bus and single-decker articulated bus, most commonly available as a hybrid electric bus named Volvo 7900 Hybrid or just Volvo 7900H, but is also available with both diesel and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) engines in some markets. It is manufactured at Volvo's plant in Poland. It was introduced at Busworld Kortrijk 2011.[1] Based on the Volvo 7900 Hybrid an extension is offered, which i.a. includes a roof-mounted device for occasional loading at stops. The manufacturer assumes that all buses at all end stations and also at some particularly busy stations stay a few minutes until the return or onward journey. As soon as a bus reaches an appropriately equipped stop, a loading unit attached to a pillar at the roadside lowers onto the coupling point mounted on the roof of the bus. The charging process ends as soon as the bus wants to continue or the battery is full. According to the manufacturer, this equipment allows (in addition to the brake energy recuperation) compared to conventional hybrid buses significantly extending the travel time in electric mode and a reduction in fuel consumption. The vehicle and the charging system were first presented to the public in September 2014 at the International Motor Show.
In 2013, a tri-axle articulated hybrid electric was introduced as the Volvo 7900A Hybrid.[2] It replaced diesel and CNG versions of articulated 7900, due to upcoming discontinuation of B9L chassis without diesel- and CNG-powered non-hybrid replacements in European markets. The same also applied to solo 7900.
In September 2014, an electric plug-in hybrid version was unveiled, marketed as Volvo 7900 Electric Hybrid.[3][4] Three prototypes were operated in Gothenburg with pre-production examples to be trialled in Hamburg, Luxembourg and Stockholm.[5] Production is set to commence in 2016.[6]
In June 2015, an all-electric version, the Volvo 7900 Electric (sometimes named Volvo 7900e), premiered when three prototype buses entered service in Gothenburg. Series production began in 2017.[7][8] In September 2017, a Volvo 7900 Electric demonstrator vehicle (LF67 EVV) entered service with First Greater Manchester. The Harrogate Bus Company subsequently placed the first firm order for the 7900 Electric, with eight examples due to enter service in 2018.[9] An articulated version was launched in mainland Europe at Busworld 2019.[10] Electric versions use modified version of B5LH chassis, designated as Volvo BE, which utilises electric powertrain developed by Volvo. As a separate chassis for third-party bodybuilders, it was first launched in Australia with order announcement for Public Transport Authority in Western Australia in July 2020.[11] These buses will be bodied by Volgren. Volvo BE chassis became known as Volvo BZL in September 2021.[12] Simultaneously, Volvo removed plug-in hybrid bus model (7900 Electric Hybrid) from product offer.
On 14 April 2020, Volvo announced the S-Charge self-charging hybrid versions of 7900 and 7900A, which replaced original hybrid versions of these models.[13] It can run in electric mode at the speeds up to 50 km/h, up from 20 km/h in previous hybrid model. Previous model continued to be available in certain markets, such as the UK and Germany (was replaced in latter). Upgrades of hybrid models were first announced in October 2019.[14] Upgrades were also made for B5LH chassis.
The model is marketed in Germany as Volvo 7900 H/HA for hybrid versions, Volvo 7900 EH for plug-in hybrid version and Volvo 7900 E for electric versions. Additionally, in selected countries, the names "Hybrid", "Electric Hybrid" and "Electric" are translated to its official languages.
- ^ "Ny hybridbuss från Volvo" (in Swedish). 29 August 2011. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
- ^ "Volvo Buses to introduce hybrid articulated bus". www.volvobuses.com. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
- ^ Ayre, James (29 August 2014). "Volvo 7900 Electric Hybrid Coming - Cuts Fuel Consumption & CO2 Emissions Up To 75%". CleanTechnica. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
- ^ "Volvo launches the all-new Electric Hybrid". www.volvobuses.com. 19 September 2014. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
- ^ Volvo to launch noiseless electric buses in Gothernburg Coach & Bus Week issue 1093 26 June 2013
- ^ "Volvo ready to build 'plug in' hybrids" Buses issue 715 October 2014 page 16
- ^ "Electric bus route 55 launched in Gothenburg, Sweden". www.volvobuses.com. 15 June 2015. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
- ^ "Volvo's first electric bus now on the roads of Gothenburg". www.volvogroup.com. 7 May 2015. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
- ^ Ayre, James (7 February 2017). "Harrogate Bus Company (UK) Orders 8 All-Electric Volvo Buses". CleanTechnica. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
- ^ "Volvo Buses launches new electric articulated bus – world premiere at Busworld". www.volvobuses.com. 17 October 2019. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
- ^ "Volvo Buses announces its first Electric Buses into Australia". www.volvobuses.com. 15 July 2020. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
- ^ "Volvo Buses launches new global electromobility offer". www.volvobuses.com. 27 September 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
- ^ "Volvo's new self-charging bus can now drive longer and emission-free on electricity". www.volvobuses.com. 14 April 2020. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
- ^ "Volvo upgrades its full-hybrid buses – they can now drive longer and emission-free on electricity". www.volvobuses.com. 17 October 2019. Retrieved 2 November 2023.