GOTHENBURG, Sweden, June 15, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

Gothenburg is launching the public transport of the future. Gothenburg's first route for electric buses will open on 15 June. The buses are silent and emission-free and run on electricity from wind power and hydropower. The bus route is among the most modern in the world. Among other things, passengers can recharge their phones onboard and enter and exit the bus from indoors.  

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Buses powered completely by renewable energy will now be part of Gothenburg's public transport system. Bus route 55 has three completely electrically driven buses and seven electric hybrid buses, all of them from Volvo Buses. The buses on the route, which runs from Chalmers Johanneberg to Chalmers Lindholmen, through the center of Gothenburg, are equipped with onboard wi-fi and phone charging facilities.

The buses run on batteries that are quickly recharged with renewable electricity at the terminal stops. The Chalmers Lindholmen stop has an indoor terminal, which is made possible by the fact that the buses are silent and emission-free.

"The Volvo Group aims to be the world leader in sustainable transport solutions. A unique collaboration in Gothenburg enables us to launch the electric bus route here and remain a leader in the development of future public transport," says Niklas Gustafsson, Chief Sustainability Officer, Volvo Group.

Bus route 55 is a result of ElectriCity, a collaboration that develops, tests and demonstrates new, attractive, sustainable collective transport for the future. In addition to the actual buses, ElectriCity develops and tests new bus stop systems, traffic management systems, safety concepts and energy supply systems. The new electric bus route not only puts Gothenburg on the map for innovative public transport systems, but also opens new possibilities for urban planning.

"ElectriCity and route 55 are concrete proof of how Gothenburg is being developed into a denser, more sustainable and open city with attractive public spaces and a rich urban life. The project also demonstrates our ambition and strategy to attract expertise and investment that help reduce environmental impact and develop collaboration between authorities, industry and academia," says Anneli Hulthén (S) Chair of the City Executive in Gothenburg.

It is hoped that the ElectriCity project will encourage use of public transport and prepare the way for more attractive public transport solutions in the Västra Götaland region.

Facts: ElectriCity 

ElectriCity is a collaboration between research, industry and society. It focuses on developing, demonstrating and evaluating sustainable public transport solutions for the future. The collaboration is between Volvo Group, Region Västra Götaland, Västtrafik, the City of Gothenburg, Chalmers University of Technology, the Swedish Energy Agency, Johanneberg Science Park, Lindholmen Science Park, Business Region Göteborg, Göteborg Energi, Älvstranden Utveckling, Keolis, Akademiska Hus and Chalmersfastigheter.   

For more news from Volvo Group, visit http://www.volvogroup.com/globalnews

The Volvo Group is one of the world's leading manufacturers of trucks, buses, construction equipment and marine and industrial engines. Volvo also provides a complete range of service and financial services. Volvo employs around 100,000 people, has production facilities in 19 countries and sells its products in more than 190 markets. The Volvo Group had a turnover of around SEK 283 billion in 2014 and is listed on the Nasdaq Stockholm stock exchange. For more information visit http://www.volvokoncernen.se, or http://www.volvogroup.mobi from a mobile phone.

Journalists requiring further information, please contact:

Helena Lind, Volvo Buses, tel. +46-(0)765-53-62-57
Karin Wik, Volvo Group, tel. +46-(0)765-53-10-20

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Video: 
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SOURCE Volvo Group