Volvo Bus Corporation
Press Information
Strong environmental offering from Volvo
Buses
Today’s bus customers increasingly want to purchase buses that have
exceptionally good environmental properties. Volvo Buses currently has an
extensive offering of buses with engines that already comply with future
emission limits and can be powered using alternative fuels.
Environmental care has been one of the Volvo Group’s most prioritized working areas
for nearly 40 years. The Group has been one of the leading vehicle manufacturers in
efforts to reduce such emissions as particles and nitrous oxides from diesel engines.
The levels generated by today’s Volvo engines are only a fraction of what they were
20 years ago and the technology that will offer further reductions has already been
developed.
The current climate issue is one of the greatest challenges of our time. It is a matter
that will require far-reaching efforts from companies, authorities and the individual.
Decision-makers worldwide have realized that it is more expensive not to act than to
take measures against emissions of greenhouse gases.
Lowest possible emission levels
In the bus industry, an increasing number of cities in the world choose to go beyond
what is legislated. In their procurement requirement, they specify that operators must
purchase buses with the lowest possible emission levels in term of technological and
commercial capabilities.
Many far-sighted cities and regions prioritize cost-efficient, environmentally
engineered solutions. In this manner, they can obtain the greatest possible
environmental impact within their financial frameworks. Volvo Buses supplies the
products that generate the largest environmental value for the operator’s money.
Environmental requirements primarily relate to city and intercity bus services, but
demands imposed on tourist coaches are also becoming more stringent. Several cities
have introduced environmental zones, which the older buses are prohibited from
entering, since their emission levels are too high.
Volvo Bus Corporation
Corporate Communication
SE-405 08 Göteborg
Sweden
Telephone
+46 31 66 80 00
Telefax
+46 31 66 72 88
Web
www.volvo.com
2
This provides an incentive for coach companies to purchase the most environmentally
friendly buses possible, thereby extending the period that the buses can be in service in
the future.
Volvo Buses has chosen to focus on environmental issues at the IAA 2008 bus show.
The company will be exhibiting its extensive range of solutions that aim to
successfully meet current and future environmental challenges. Volvo Buses provides
the solutions required by the customer.
Euro IV
Euro IV is the European emissions directive that currently applies in Europe. Volvo
has chosen Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) to comply with requirements. The
largest benefit of SCR is that the engine can be optimized for low-fuel consumption
and low particle levels. Nitrous oxides are taken care of in the catalytic converter.
Consequently, Volvo’s SCR engines have lower fuel consumption than earlier, which
is a substantial benefit for customers due to the current high price of diesel. Volvo also
offers Euro IV in markets outside Europe. It is necessary for these markets to have
access to a fuel quality that permits the use of this technology.
Euro V
The next stage of emission limits, Euro V, will be introduced in Europe in the autumn
of 2009. It will entail a further 40-percent reduction in the levels of nitrous oxides.
Thanks to Volvo Buses’ SCR technology, the company already offers buses that meet
emission limits as specified in Euro V.
Many customers, particularly within the area of city traffic, have chosen to pass over
Euro IV and comply directly with Euro V to, among other reasons, increase their
possibilities of extending the period that the buses can be in service. In many markets,
the local authorities offer financial incentives for those operators that chose to advance
in the environmental area and purchase Euro engines.
EEV
EEV (Enhanced Environmentally Friendly Vehicle) is a voluntary emission standard
within the EU. Emission limits for this standard are even lower than for Euro V,
particularly with regard to particles. Several European cities already insist on buses
that comply with EEV standards when purchasing.
Volvo’s SCR technology enables companies to deliver buses that comply with EEV
standards. Currently, Volvo offers EEV for its 12-liter 340-hp engines, 9-liter 260- and
360-hp engines as well as the 7-liter and 5-liter engines in its hybrid buses.
Biodiesel
Biodiesel is a fuel manufactured from vegetable oils and fats and can be used in
regular diesel engines. Carbon-dioxide emissions are reduced by about 60 percent
compared with regular diesel. Accordingly, the increased use of biodiesel would
reduce the impact of vehicle traffic.
Volvo Bus Corporation
Corporate Communication
SE-405 08 Göteborg
Sweden
Telephone
+46 31 66 80 00
Telefax
+46 31 66 72 88
Web
www.volvo.com
Compared with other biofuels, such as ethanol, biodiesel has the major advantage of
flexibility. All Volvo engines that can be powered by biodiesel can also be powered by
regular diesel or synthetic diesel, in various mixtures.
Natural gas and biogas
Volvo Buses’ 9-liter gas-fueled engine has emission levels that are below Euro V and
EEV standards. It can be powered using natural gas and biogas and is primarily
intended to satisfy the increasing demand for gas-fueled buses in urban traffic.
Biogas can be recovered in a wastewater treatment plant, from garbage dumps or other
places where biodegradable material exists. An increasing number of cities and regions
are making investments to establish a functioning system for the production and
delivery of biogas. Buses that use biogas are carbon neutral.
Hybrids
Volvo Buses is unveiling its hybrid bus, the Volvo 7700 Hybrid, at IAA 2008. This
represents a major stride forward in the environmental area. With the new hybrid bus,
fuel consumption is reduced by up to 30% and, consequently, carbon-dioxide
emissions by the same level. Discharge of nitrous oxides and particles are reduced by
up to 40-50% compared with a comparable diesel-powered bus.
Volvo’s hybrid solution is a parallel hybrid in which an electric motor and a diesel
engine can be used independently or together. When the hybrid bus halts at bus stops
and traffic lights, the diesel engine is shut off automatically. The bus then starts using
the electric motor and accelerates up to 15-20 kph before the diesel engine starts up.
This results in lower emissions and a quieter city environment.
September 24, 2008
For further information, please contact Per-Martin Johansson, press officer,
+46 31 322 52 00, per-martin.johansson@volvo.com
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Volvo Bus Corporation is one of the the world’s largest manufacturer 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, drive systems for marine and industrial
applications, aerospace components and services. The Group also provides complete solutions for financing and
service.
Volvo Bus Corporation
Corporate Communication
SE-405 08 Göteborg
Sweden
Telephone
+46 31 66 80 00
Telefax
+46 31 66 72 88
Web
www.volvo.com