First Hybrid bus of India | Fusion - WeRIndia

India’s first hybrid bus has been launched by Volvo Buses. The first batch of five such buses will be given to Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC).

These hybrid buses run on diesel along with an electric motor and battery. The advantage of these buses is that they consume approximately 35% less diesel. They are good for reducing CO2 emissions too.

For most functions, the 8400 Hybrid City Bus uses electric power. These include air conditioning and operation of automatic doors. The bus starts on diesel; however it takes off on electric mode till it gains momentum. At every stop and start during the operation cycle the fuel is saved.

This is the first commercial launch of hybrid bus in India after the Faster Adoption of Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME) scheme in April 2015.

The scheme is made to encourage hybrid manufacturers. Under it, they get a subsidy based on the type of the bus. The Volvo 8400 hybrid is classified as a strong hybrid which resulted in it getting a subsidy of Rs. 61 lakh from the government.

Another great advantage of having hybrid buses is that the noise levels are reduced both inside and outside.

These buses will be launched in Navi Mumbai very soon. As a result, it will become the first city in India to adopt hybrid buses for public transport. An order of five hybrid buses has been placed by Navi Mumbai.

Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven gave a symbolic key of the bus to Maharashtra Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis. The hybrid buses are being assembled locally at Volvo’s facility in Bengaluru.

According to Akash Passey, senior vice-president, business region international of Volvo Buses, the hybrid technology can reduce the emission of hazardous elements by 50 percent. It is expected that this initiative will result in more cities adopting it.

Image Reference: TheBetterIndia