GOTHENBURG, Sweden, June 1, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- When
Gothenburg, Sweden, welcomes the Volvo Ocean Race on June 14–21, the city will also welcome two
concept all-electric articulated Volvo buses which will carry visitors between downtown Nordstan and the event venue in
Frihamnen. From June 25 the new buses, which can carry 135 passengers, will be tested on part of
public transport provider Västtrafik's route 16. The electric articulated buses are part of the ElectriCity project which since
2015 has seen about ten electric buses operate on route 55 in Gothenburg.
"With these two first all-electric articulated buses, we are taking yet another important step towards quieter and
emission-free public transport in Gothenburg and western Sweden. We hope as many locals and visitors as possible will take the opportunity to experience the next
generation of bus travel," says Ulrika Frick, (Green Party), Chair of the Västra Götaland Regional
Council's public transport committee.
In addition to electric propulsion, the two articulated buses feature a number of technical and design solutions that make
travel easier and more comfortable for passengers. For instance, the buses have four double doors, large unobstructed floor
surfaces and ergonomically designed handrails, grab-handles and backrests for standing passengers. The aim is that a large number
of passengers should be able to quickly and conveniently enter and exit at every stop, while making the journey itself as
comfortable as possible.
On board there is free Wi-Fi, sockets for charging mobile phones, and screens showing traffic information.
During the Volvo Ocean Race on June 14–21 the electric articulated buses will run between Nordstan and Frihamnen. From
June 25 they will be tested on route EL16, which is part of Västtrafik's route 16. In the mornings
and evenings they will run between Eriksbergstorget and Nordstan. During the day they will also operate between Eriksbergstorget
and Sahlgrenska University Hospital. Two new stops will be built on the route, and two existing bus stops at Eriksbergstorget and
Lindholmen will get new bus shelters. Since the electric articulated buses are prototypes, they will run outside the regular
timetable.
The new electric articulated buses are part of ElectriCity, a joint project between the research community, industry and the
city of Gothenburg, where new solutions for next-generation sustainable urban traffic are being
developed, demonstrated and evaluated. The articulated bus project is being run by Volvo, Västtrafik, the City of Gothenburg, Göteborg Energi and Transdev.
For more information about the ElectriCity project see electricitygoteborg.se
Journalists who would like further information, please contact:
Helena Lundgren Lind
Volvo Buses
+46(0)31-323-62-57
For more information, please visit volvogroup.com/press
The Volvo Group is one of the world's leading manufacturers of trucks, buses, construction equipment and marine and industrial
engines. The Group also provides complete solutions for financing and service. The Volvo Group, which employs almost 100,000
people, has production facilities in 18 countries and sells its products in more than 190 markets. In 2017 the Volvo Group's
sales amounted to about SEK 335 billion (EUR 35 billion). The Volvo
Group is a publicly-held company headquartered in Göteborg, Sweden. Volvo shares are listed on
Nasdaq Stockholm.
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SOURCE AB Volvo