VOLVO Buses, a part of the Volvo Group, together with Gemilang International Ltd, has launched a fully electric bus (EV).

The all-new Volvo BZL-GML Eco Range is a premium low-floor urban electric bus with two doors, the first of its kind assembled in the country (CKD) by Volvo.

The manufacturer has also collaborated with Rapid Bus Sdn Bhd for the trial operation of the Volvo BZL-GML Eco Range.

The trial is set to commence in July 2024 and is expected to last for a minimum of six months to a year.

A Volvo electric bus will operate on Route 581, covering the journey from Desa Tasik to LRT Bandar Tasik Selatan.

The chassis and powertrain components with efficient energy from Volvo BZL have been engineered and built to the highest standards at Volvo’s manufacturing plant in Sweden.

This bus can accommodate up to 91 passengers with a capacity of 33 seats, including safety seats, seats for specific groups, foldable seats, and standing passenger space.

It features a completely flat and low floor design from the front to the back, providing stability and easier access for passengers.

An electric powertrain system with a power output of 540hp and immediate torque.

The EV bus is also equipped with various advanced braking technologies, including Volvo disc brakes, Electronic Brake System (EBS), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Acceleration Slip Regulator (ASR), Brake Blending, Hill Assist System (HAS), and Electronic Stability Control (ESC).

Additionally, other safety features such as warning alerts, collision warnings, 360 cameras, and e-mirrors to assist the driver will be offered as options.

In the event of an unlikely breakdown, the battery cells and surrounding area are designed to ‘self-extinguish’ by automatically releasing temperature extinguishing agents to prevent nearby battery cells from damage. This feature has been proven effective through repeated testing.

The Volvo BZL-GML Eco Range electric bus offers flexible charging through the OppCharge interface hardware for automatic high-power charging and CCS charging sockets.

The energy storage is placed on the roof, providing more spacious passenger areas and optimizing weight distribution.