Gothenburg boosts sustainable public transport push with e-bus roll-out

A fleet of electric buses has begun operating in the Swedish city of Gothenburg, and its region covering Mölndal and Partille.

The 157 electric buses from Volvo represent the largest single order of its kind in Europe. Bus operator Transdev Sweden was awarded the contract to operate the service from public transport company Västtrafik, which expects to have electrified all city traffic in Västra Götaland by 2030.

Charging infrastructure

Swiss power and automation group ABB is providing the charging infrastructure solutions with 19 new high-power electric chargers scheduled to be installed during the second half of 2020. Another two stations are planned for the future.

The new electrified lines will see a total of 220 electric buses in service by the end of the year. With room for 150 passengers and an 88 per cent reduction in CO2 when transitioning to electricity, the new buses combine high passenger capacity with low environmental footprint.

"We have created a common holistic transport solution that will make public transport in Gothenburg quieter and emission-free.”

According to Västtrafik, the landmark announcement marks an important step towards achieving a sustainable public transport solution for the 180 million trips made by bus in the region each year.

“Volvo Buses is a leader in electromobility and solutions for sustainable public transport. Together with ABB and our partners, we have created a common holistic transport solution that will make public transport in Gothenburg quieter and emission-free”, said Håkan Agnevall, president, Volvo Buses.

"The solution shows that electric buses are not only something for the future, but already today provide cities with public transport that is sustainable and financially viable.”

ABB will supply a complete solution that includes both the charging stations and all grid connection hardware via ABB’s cable distribution cabinets.

The buses in Gothenburg, Mölndal and Partille will be charged by ABB’s 450kW high power Panto Down chargers. The modular electric bus charging solution offers high-power charging via an automated rooftop connection. Buses will be recharged in three- to six minutes at charging stations along the routes

“The sustainable transformation of bus traffic in Gothenburg is an example of how ABB is pursuing its Mission to Zero, with the goal to develop innovations that will contribute to a zero-emission future,” added Frank Muehlon, head of ABB’s global business for e-mobility infrastructure solutions.

“We have the products and solutions to deliver electricity from generation to the point of consumption in a safe, smart and sustainable way.”

Gothenburg was named joint winner of the EU’s 2020 European Capital of Smart Tourism competition last year, alongside Málaga. They were recognised for their “exemplary achievements” across all four categories of the competition, including sustainability and digitalisation.

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