Electric Bus Route 55 Launched in Gothenburg, Sweden

PR60878

GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Jun. 15 /PRN=KYODO JBN/ --

    Gothenburg is launching the public transport of the future. Gothenburg's

first route for electric buses will open on 15 June. The buses are silent and

emission-free and run on electricity from wind power and hydropower. The bus

route is among the most modern in the world. Among other things, passengers can

recharge their phones onboard and enter and exit the bus from indoors.

    To view the Multimedia News Release, please click:

http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7544351-volvo-electric-bus-route-launched

    Buses powered completely by renewable energy will now be part of

Gothenburg's public transport system. Bus route 55 has three completely

electrically driven buses and seven electric hybrid buses, all of them from

Volvo Buses. The buses on the route, which runs from Chalmers Johanneberg to

Chalmers Lindholmen, through the center of Gothenburg, are equipped with

onboard wi-fi and phone charging facilities.

    The buses run on batteries that are quickly recharged with renewable

electricity at the terminal stops. The Chalmers Lindholmen stop has an indoor

terminal, which is made possible by the fact that the buses are silent and

emission-free.

    "The Volvo Group aims to be the world leader in sustainable transport

solutions. A unique collaboration in Gothenburg enables us to launch the

electric bus route here and remain a leader in the development of future public

transport," says Niklas Gustafsson, Chief Sustainability Officer, Volvo Group.

    Bus route 55 is a result of ElectriCity, a collaboration that develops,

tests and demonstrates new, attractive, sustainable collective transport for

the future. In addition to the actual buses, ElectriCity develops and tests new

bus stop systems, traffic management systems, safety concepts and energy supply

systems. The new electric bus route not only puts Gothenburg on the map for

innovative public transport systems, but also opens new possibilities for urban

planning.

    "ElectriCity and route 55 are concrete proof of how Gothenburg is being

developed into a denser, more sustainable and open city with attractive public

spaces and a rich urban life. The project also demonstrates our ambition and

strategy to attract expertise and investment that help reduce environmental

impact and develop collaboration between authorities, industry and academia,"

says Anneli Hulthen (S) Chair of the City Executive in Gothenburg.

    It is hoped that the ElectriCity project will encourage use of public

transport and prepare the way for more attractive public transport solutions in

the Vastra Gotaland region.

    Facts: ElectriCity

    ElectriCity is a collaboration between research, industry and society. It

focuses on developing, demonstrating and evaluating sustainable public

transport solutions for the future. The collaboration is between Volvo Group,

Region Vastra Gotaland, Vasttrafik, the City of Gothenburg, Chalmers University

of Technology, the Swedish Energy Agency, Johanneberg Science Park, Lindholmen

Science Park, Business Region Goteborg, Goteborg Energi, Alvstranden

Utveckling, Keolis, Akademiska Hus and Chalmersfastigheter.

    For more news from Volvo Group, visit http://www.volvogroup.com/globalnews

    The Volvo Group is one of the world's leading manufacturers of trucks,

buses, construction equipment and marine and industrial engines. Volvo also

provides a complete range of service and financial services. Volvo employs

around 100,000 people, has production facilities in 19 countries and sells its

products in more than 190 markets. The Volvo Group had a turnover of around SEK

283 billion in 2014 and is listed on the Nasdaq Stockholm stock exchange. For

more information visit http://www.volvokoncernen.se, or

http://www.volvogroup.mobi from a mobile phone.

    Journalists requiring further information, please contact:

    Helena Lind, Volvo Buses, tel. +46-(0)765-53-62-57

    Karin Wik, Volvo Group, tel. +46-(0)765-53-10-20

    (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150615/745127 )

http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7544351-volvo-electric-bus-route-launched

SOURCE: Volvo Group