ABB powers Volvo’s electric bus in UK demonstration tour

ABB has delivered the UK’s first OppCharge fast charger for a country-wide demonstration tour of Volvo’s right-hand drive 7900e fully electric single deck bus.

The pilot, which was launched by Manchester’s city mayor, Andy Burnham, brings together for the first time in the UK Volvo’s zero emission, fully electric 7900e bus and OppCharge opportunity charging from leading Electric Vehicle (EV) charging provider, ABB.

This charger can recharge a bus on its route between three to six minutes, enabling the potential for the first ever 24-hour continuous bus operation in the UK.

Operated by First Manchester for Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), the single deck vehicle will be operating on the Metroshuttle 2 route – a free-to-use service that provides access to key locations across the city centre. The system has been installed at the Shudehill Interchange and will be deployed for eight weeks.

Frank Muehlon, head of ABB’s global business for EV Charging Infrastructure commented: “As a global leader in EV charging solutions we are proud to be partnering with Volvo and Transport for Greater Manchester on delivering the first ever fast charging bus installation in the UK.

“This project marks a significant step in an ongoing partnership between ABB and Volvo, which has seen our companies work side by side since 2014 on co-developing city-wide electric bus solutions for improved and sustainable urban mobility.

“Our chargers are part of the ABB AbilityTM portfolio of digital solutions where cloud connectivity allows for remote diagnosis and management, ensuring reliable and efficient infrastructure for bus passengers.”

Frank continued: “We are delighted to be able to offer residents and visitors to Manchester access to this technology for the very first time and hope this tour will successfully demonstrate the huge improvement which electric buses can make on the environmental impact of public transport, with this bus delivering up to 80 per cent lower energy consumption than its regular diesel equivalent.”

Following the Manchester trial, the vehicle will be heading for a demonstration at London’s Heathrow Airport for a period of eight weeks. This will involve transporting airport staff and customers to and from the carparks and terminals.