Clinton backing for Volvo’s hybrid buses

CCI is an initiative to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. It is part of the Clinton Foundation, set up by former US President Bill Clinton. CCI has good contacts in the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group*, an association of 40 of the world’s large cities. It signed an agreement with Volvo, whereby CCI will apply its knowledge and these contacts to showcase the CO2-reducing potential offered by Volvo’s hybrid technology and BRT system.

Faster and smoother
“Bus Rapid Transit is one of the most effective ways of reducing carbon dioxide emissions. With separate bus lanes, buses with high passenger capacity and smart bus stops, an efficient transport system can be achieved. With fewer, but larger buses and steadier traffic flows, emissions are markedly reduced.

But the greatest impact on the environment is achieved by many residents leaving their cars or motorcycles at home, thanks to the fact that the bus journey is faster and smoother,” says Edward Jobson, environmental manager at Volvo.

Major breakthrough
As well as the BRT system, Jobson says that Volvo’s hybrid buses can provide fuel savings of up to 35 per cent. How? Based on a parallel hybrid engine that combines a diesel engine with an electric engine that minimises emissions in urban driving environments. The company also makes a biogas bus which runs on biogas produced solely from waste products such as sewage sludge.

“Our hybrid development has now reached the stage that it is at the same commercial level as our diesel buses. This means that conditions are now in place for hybrid buses to make a major breakthrough in the market,” said Jobson.

*The C40 Large Cities Climate Leadership Group consists of: Addis Ababa, Athens,Bangkok, Beijing, Berlin, Bogotá, Buenos Aires, Cairo, Caracas, Chicago, Delhi, Dhaka, Hanoi, Hong Kong, Houston, Istanbul, Jakarta, Johannesburg, Karachi, Lagos, Lima, London, Los Angeles, Madrid, Melbourne, Mexico City, Moscow, Mumbai, New York, Paris, Philadelphia, Rio de Janeiro, Rome, São Paulo, Seoul, Shanghai, Sydney, Toronto, Tokyo and Warsaw.