Volvo will introduce hybrid buses in India next year. The Volvo hybrids will be part of a city bus pilot in Navi Mumbai starting in the first half of 2016.
To promote environmentally-friendly vehicles, the Indian government has recently launched the FAME India (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles in India) scheme, offering incentives on electric and hybrid vehicles.
"Volvo has a leading position in hybrid technology and electro mobility. Hybrid buses is an important solution for cities that want to reduce vehicle emissions. I am very proud that Volvo is the first bus manufacturer to introduce hybrid buses in India", said Hakan Agnevall, President Volvo Buses.
The Volvo hybrids will be manufactured in the company's facility in Bangalore. Volvo said that it has more than 2,300 hybrid buses sold to over 20 countries. The company claimed that its hybrid busses offer a fuel consumption which is 35-40 per cent lower than regular diesel buses. Volvo's electric hybrids, offering fuel savings of 75 per cent, are running in regular traffic in couple of European cities.
"Volvo has played a key role in redefining urban commute for millions of passengers in Indian cities. Now, with the Volvo hybrid city bus we are confident of transforming the public transport landscape further, by inspiring more cities to adopt this solution," said Akash Passey, Senior Vice President, Region International, Volvo Buses.
Volvo has sold over 5,300 buses in India since 2001. The company has about 1,500 city buses operating in 34 Indian cities.
BW Reporters
The author is Senior Correspondent with BW Businessworld
