Hybrid Buses: Volvo to begin Indian journey from Navi Mumbai

Swedish commercial vehicles major Volvo today said it will roll out hybrid buses in the country during the first half of next year, beginning with Navi Mumbai as part of a city pilot project.

"Our first hybrid city bus pilot will start in Navi Mumbai with the Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport", Volvo India said in a statement.

To promote environment-friendly transportation, the Centre recently launched the FAME India (faster adoption and manufacturing of hybrid and electric vehicles) scheme, offering incentives on electric and hybrid vehicles.

"We have a leading position in hybrid technology and electro-mobility. I am very proud that Volvo is the first bus manufacturer to introduce hybrid buses in the country", Volvo Buses President Hakan Agnevall said.

The Volvo hybrids will be manufactured at the company's facility in Bengaluru.

The Swedish firm is a leader in hybrid technology with over 2,300 such buses sold to over 20 countries. The Volvo hybrids consume 39% less fuel than regular diesel buses and thus cut carbon dioxide emissions by the same amount and nitrogen oxides and particles by 50%.

Globally, Volvo's electric hybrids, offering fuel savings of 75%, are running in regular traffic in Gothenburg, Stockholm and Hamburg. So far, the firm has sold over 5,000 hybrids and full electric buses worldwide.

Volvo has sold over 5,300 buses in India since 2001, of which about 1,500 are city buses operating in 34 urban centres.