"Another major benefit with Volvo's hybrid technology is that the diesel engine will be turned off at bus stops and traffic lights," says Håkan Karlsson, President of Volvo Bus Corporation. "The bus starts moving driven by the electric motor and when the bus reaches 15-20 kph, the diesel engine starts up automatically." This solution is a major benefit for the environment in cities. Passengers, pedestrians and fellow road-users, are spared from noise and exhaust fumes.

Volvo components
A significant reason for the fuel savings being so large as up to 30% in Volvo's hybrid bus is that all hybrid components are developed by Volvo. "A common approach earlier was that bus manufacturers purchased hybrid components externally and attempted to adapt them to their own bus, but this is difficult," relates Håkan Karlsson. "Since we developed the components internally, we have been able to optimize the bus's fuel consumption fully. At the same time we could ensure very high reliability."

With many of today's hybrid solutions, the bus becomes substantially heavier and, consequently, can carry fewer passengers. It is the opposite with the Volvo 7700 Hybrid. The bus weights only 100 kilograms more than a diesel version. As a result of better weight distribution, it can carry up to seven more passengers than its diesel
counterpart. The first buses will be delivered to customers during 2009, while mass production begins in early 2010.

El-busssen är minst dubbelt så långlivad som en förbränningsmotorbuss och Vancouvers begagnade 25 år gamla el-bussar säljs till Sydamerika för fortsatt drift.