On the 27th of July in Cracow, Volvo presented an electric hybrid – a city bus powered mainly by electric power (on 70% of its route), saving up to 60% of energy costs and reducing CO2 emissions by 75%.

Clean air and reduction of noise are areas which are increasingly being considered when designing municipal transport systems. In Cracow this subject is especially important due to significant air pollution – smog, which is becoming a noticeable problem for residents’ health.

In the case of municipal transport, the answer to the ecological needs of cities are buses employing electric propulsion. It’s a solution that is decidedly more environment-friendly than even the most advanced diesels – they are more silent, produce much less harmful substances and save energy.

Exactly this type of bus was presented in Cracow by Volvo. Volvo 7900 Electric Hybrid is a so-called electric hybrid, utilizing electric energy on most of its route.

- Volvo 7900 electric hybrid moves silently and does not produce exhaust gases on 70% of its journey. Battery charging takes only 3-4 minutes and takes place at the final stop. This is possibile thanks to “opportunity charging” –the bus simply drives up to the charging station and takes energy from a pantograph which extends from the station. – explains MaÅ‚gorzata Durda, Regional Director for Poland and the Baltic States at Volvo Buses.

- This solution lowers the energy consumption by 60% compared to a similar bus with diesel propulsion, and the CO2 emissions are lowered by even up to 75%, adds Małgorzata Durda.

Volvo 7900 Electric Hybrid offers the passenger capacity required by municipal operators and can be configured in a variety of ways, each time adapting to requirements and needs of urban transport in a given city. Volvo’s electric hybrids are already in use in such cities as Göteborg, Stockholm, Hamburg, Luxembourg, Namur or Curitiba.

- Cracow is continuously modernizing its rolling stock, and we are interested in exploring most types of potential buses so that our prospective fleet is modern, comfortable and environment-friendly, said Marek Gancarczyk, spokesman at MPK Kraków.

It is worth noting that these modern buses are produced completely in Poland – in Volvo’s plant in WrocÅ‚aw. The entire production process, from design and customer adaptation, through production, service and support, is conducted in-country.