Volvo Buses has expanded its electromobility offer in Europe with the launch of the 8900 Electric, a low-entry electric bus designed for city, intercity and commuter operations.
“It’s logical to include electrified solutions for intercity, transit and commuter operations. The 8900 Electric is a dedicated European offer and another major step in our efforts to provide efficient and sustainable people transport solutions,” said Thomas Nylund, head of Volvo Buses Europe.
The Volvo 8900 Electric is built on the all-new Volvo BZR Electric chassis, which is based on a Volvo common e-mobility architecture. The platform uses standardized major components and subsystems, facilitating spare parts commonality and logistics for enhanced operator uptime. The body of the Volvo 8900 Electric will be manufactured by MCV, a selected partner.
Building upon the success of the conventional Volvo 8900 introduced in 2010, the new electric platform will debut in select European markets in 2025. Available in two- or three-axle configurations, the 8900 Electric can accommodate up to 110 passengers and offers traction power of up to 400kW, or 540hp, with one or two motors. The modular battery arrangement, with a capacity of up to 540kWh, ensures versatility for various city and intercity applications.
The flexible BZR platform offers high-floor or low-entry options, with various configurations and driveline choices, and features a modular energy storage system that can be tailored to suit different operational requirements.
The the BZR Electric platform can accommodate lengths from 9.5m to 15m and a maximum weight of 27,000kg.