Volvo’s hybrid bus is one of the environmental buses that will be servicing the special COP15 route during the climate conference in Copenhagen. This hybrid bus reduces carbon emissions by up to 30%.
As world leaders convene in Copenhagen for the COP15 climate conference, the primary goal will be to reach an agreement to reduce the emission of climate-impacting greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide. This includes procedures to curb the use of oil, not least as vehicle fuel.
Copenhagen is expecting at least 10,000 visitors during the two-week conference. To facilitate visitor transports, the traffic company Movia has established a special bus route between the airport, the Bella Center conference hall and central Copenhagen.
The bus route will be serviced by the operator City Trafik, which is deploying completely new buses, several of which use a new technology to reduce fuel consumption. One of these buses is Volvo’s new 7700 Hybrid bus.
Volvo’s hybrid buses use a small diesel engine and an electric motor that can power the buses independently or together. The electric motor is powered by a battery that is charged with the energy that is accumulated when the bus brakes. During stops, the diesel engine is completely turned off and only the electric motor is used, which provides a quiet and clean environment at bus stops.
The hybrid system itself is on display for closer inspection in a pavilion at Rådhusplatsen in central Copenhagen. The Municipality of Copenhagen is hosting a parallel conference in which the mayors of the world’s largest cities will meet to discuss how they can contribute to the climate effort. In addition to traffic, this also involves energy supply, energy-efficient buildings and waste management.
Ten of the cities, including London, New York City, Copenhagen and Johannesburg, will showcase their model examples in the “Future City” exhibition at Rådhusplatsen, where Volvo’s hybrid system will also be displayed.
“The mayoral meeting is supported by C40 Cities, which is part of the Clinton Climate Initiative,” says Edward Jobson. “C40 Cities has a partnership agreement with Volvo in which we will jointly demonstrate the advantages of hybrid technology and the intelligent bus-based transport system, bus rapid transit, to cities around the world.