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Volvo BZL

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Volvo BZL
Photograph of white Volvo BZL single-decker demonstrator bus, with a destination display reading "EY Electric"
MCV single-decker bodied Volvo BZL demonstrator in Kingston upon Hull, July 2023
Overview
ManufacturerVolvo Buses
Production2021–present
AssemblyBorås, Sweden
Body and chassis
ClassElectric bus
Doors1, 2 or 3
Floor typeLow floor
RelatedVolvo BZR
Powertrain
Power output400 kW, 31 kNm
TransmissionVolvo I-Shift 2-speed AMT
Battery282/376/470 kWh 600 V lithium iron phosphate (NCA in Australia)[1]
Plug-in charging300 kW (OppCharge roof charging)
150 kW CCS
Dimensions
Wheelbase3,700 millimetres (150 in)
Length
  • Single-decker bus
  • 9–13 metres (30–43 ft)
  • Double-decker bus
  • 10.3–10.9 metres (34–36 ft)
[2]
Width2,500 millimetres (8.2 ft)
Curb weight19,500 kilograms (43,000 lb)
Chronology
PredecessorVolvo B5LH
Volvo B8RLE

The Volvo BZL is a full-size zero-emission battery electric bus chassis for both single-decker buses and double-decker buses, manufactured by Volvo since 2021.[3]

First launched in 2021 for the United Kingdom and Ireland markets, featuring both double-decker and single-decker bodies built by MCV Bus & Coach, the BZL chassis range features CO2 heat pump-powered heating and ventilation, and is claimed to be 90% recyclable. It is also built to a high safety standard with multiple new safety innovations such as sealed battery compartments and a strengthened front frame.[4][5][2]

Operators

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United Kingdom

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Photograph of white, green and blue Volvo BZL double-decker bus
Stagecoach East MCV double-decker-bodied Volvo BZL DD in Cambridge in July 2023

The first 25 Volvo BZLs for the United Kingdom began to be delivered to Stagecoach West Scotland for use in Ayrshire in February 2023.[6] The first MCV double-deck bodied BZLs followed in May 2023, with 30 entering service with Stagecoach East in Cambridge for use on the city's park and ride system.[7][8] In what would have been the largest zero-emissions bus order by the Stagecoach Group to date, Stagecoach Manchester' Stockport depot was to take delivery of 150 double-deck and 20 single-deck BZLs for franchised Bee Network bus services,[9] however severe delays relating to the construction of a new Stockport depot saw the fleet's delivery reallocated to Stagecoach's Middleton and Metroline Manchester's Ashton and Hyde Road depots.[10]

In London, Metroline was the first Transport for London operator to order Volvo BZLs, ordering 48 MCV-bodied single-deck BZLs in November 2022,[11] the first 14 of which entered service on route 251 from January 2024.[12] Metroline are also scheduled to take delivery of a further 28 BZL single-decks for use on routes 228 and 316 during the first quarter of 2024.[13] Stagecoach London followed with an order for 19 single-deck BZLs, which entered service on route 276,[14] following with a further order of 16 single-decks for route 314 and 45 double decks for routes 58, 277 and D7.[citation needed] Arriva London announced in July 2024 that it plans to take delivery of 51 double-deck BZLs for use on routes 243 and 341 from early 2025.[15]

Elsewhere in the United Kingdom, municipal bus operator Warrington's Own Buses plans to take delivery of 105 single and double-deck BZLs to replace their entire diesel bus fleet,[16] with the first entering service in July 2024,[17] while Lothian Buses took delivery of the first of 50 double-deck BZLs for service in Edinburgh in September 2024.[18] Demonstrator models have entered also service with Stagecoach South in Winchester,[19] East Yorkshire in Kingston upon Hull,[20][21] and First South Yorkshire in Sheffield.[22]

Australia

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Transperth Volgren bodied Volvo BZL at Whitfords railway station in Perth, Western Australia

As of January 2024, 47 Volvo BZLs with Volgren bodies were in service across Australia.[23] The BZL for the Australia and New Zealand market, bodied exclusively by Volgren, was unveiled in October 2021 at Volvo's Australian headquarters in Brisbane,[24][25] with the first four BZLs entering service with Transperth on the Joondalup Perth Central Area Transit (CAT) service in February and March 2022.[26][27] The first of a further 18 for Transperth was delivered in August 2024 for use on a wider range of the CAT services.[28]

The first of 17 BZLs began to be delivered to Transdev Queensland in February 2023,[29][30][31] Hornibrook Bus Lines took delivery of 16 for its new North Lakes depot in late 2023, making it the first bus depot operated entirely by electric buses in Queensland.[32][33]

Other markets

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Tower Transit SC Neustar City bodied Volvo BZL in Singapore

In Singapore, a Volvo BZL with a three-door SC Neustar City body, unveiled in November 2022 and developed in joint partnership between Volvo and local bus and coach bodywork manufacturer SC Auto, entered service on a one-year trial with Tower Transit Singapore from 26 March 2023.[34] In Malaysia, the Volvo BZL-GML Eco Range was launched in partnership with Gemilang Coachworks, with a trial on Rapid Bus services planned. This was the first locally built electric low-floor bus in Malaysia.[35]

In Colombia, a Volvo BZL built with Marcopolo bodywork was unveiled at a tech expo in the capital Bogotá in June 2023 for use on the city's TransMilenio bus rapid transit (BRT) system, the first bus from a European manufacturer to be delivered to the country; this BZL began trial operations in Curitiba in Brazil, with further trials in the cities of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Santiago de Chile to follow.[36][37][38] Volvo later launched the step entrance and low entry BZR bus and coach chassis range in March 2024, featuring variants tailored closer to the Latin American bus market that use similar battery electric technology to both the BZL and its electric Volvo FH trucks.[39]

References

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  1. ^ "BZL Electric chassis specifications". Volvo Bus. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  2. ^ a b Render, Stuart (10 December 2021). "Volvo continues its electric journey". Buses. Stamford: Key Publishing. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  3. ^ "Volvo BZL Electric bus chassis". Volvo Bus. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  4. ^ "Volvo launches BZL Electric; UK demonstration to start soon". routeone. 27 September 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  5. ^ "Volvo Buses launches new BZL e-bus platform". Coach & Bus Week. Peterborough. 28 September 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  6. ^ "First Volvo BZL deliveries for Stagecoach West Scotland". routeone. 20 February 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  7. ^ "ZEBRA buses for Cambridge imminent". Coach & Bus Week. Peterborough. 21 March 2023. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  8. ^ Halford, Paul (12 May 2023). "New electric buses for Cambridge builds on 'strong partnership' for Stagecoach and Volvo". routeone. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  9. ^ "Volvo BZL to form Stagecoach Stockport 170 e-bus fleet". routeone. 6 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  10. ^ Deakin, Tim (23 September 2024). "Stockport 170 Volvo BZL electrics reallocated amid depot difficulty". routeone. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  11. ^ "Metroline orders 48 Volvo BZL electric single-deckers". routeone. 30 November 2022. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  12. ^ Peat, Chris (12 January 2024). "Volvo BZL single-deckers entering service with Metroline". Bus & Coach Buyer. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  13. ^ Halford, Paul (8 June 2023). "Metroline to add 28 Volvo BZL electric single-deckers". routeone. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  14. ^ "London order takes Stagecoach Volvo BZL total to 244". routeone. 12 May 2023. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  15. ^ "Arriva London orders 51 Volvo BZL electric double-deckers". routeone. 18 July 2023. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
  16. ^ "Warrington orders new electric fleet". Coach & Bus Week. Peterborough. 18 July 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  17. ^ Okell, Nathan (26 July 2024). "First new electric bus spotted in town ahead of whole fleet arrival". Warrington Guardian. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  18. ^ "Lothian Buses places first Volvo BZL battery-electrics into service". routeone. 9 September 2024. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  19. ^ Peat, Chris (12 July 2023). "MP considers funding after electric Volvo trial". Bus & Coach Buyer. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  20. ^ Peat, Chris (8 August 2023). "Volvo BZL makes for a first in Hull". Bus & Coach Buyer. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  21. ^ Page, Mark (8 August 2023). "Battery-powered electric bus transports Hull-area passengers for the first time". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  22. ^ "Volvo BZL Electric put through its paces in Sheffield". Coach & Bus Week. Peterborough. 31 October 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  23. ^ Mortell, Sean (30 January 2024). "Volvo backs the B13R for 2024". Australasian Bus & Coach. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  24. ^ "Volvo launches new BZL Electric bus chassis". Trucksales. 1 October 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  25. ^ Cotter, Fabian (15 February 2022). "Milestone 200,000th Volvo bus chassis Oz bound". Australasian Bus & Coach. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
  26. ^ "Volvo Volgren BZL electric buses successfully delivering cleaner transport to Perth". Australasian Bus & Coach. 30 November 2022. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  27. ^ Transperth's 1st Electric CAT Rattler issue 478 January 2022 pages 28-30
  28. ^ Peat, Chris (29 August 2024). "First Volvo BZL delivered in Australian order". Bus & Coach Buyer. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  29. ^ Vorrath, Sophie (13 January 2023). "Queensland adds 17 new electric buses to its fleet, powered by solar depot". TheDriven.io. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  30. ^ "Volvo supports local in new electric bus delivery spree". Australasian Bus & Coach. 3 April 2023. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  31. ^ Ward, Joshua (6 November 2023). "Transdev's Brisbane fleet becomes greener with new electric buses". Australasian Bus & Coach. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  32. ^ Welch, Jonathan (30 July 2024). "Public transport helps Brisbane host a climate-positive Olympics". Coach & Bus Week. Peterborough. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  33. ^ Mortell, Sean (15 December 2023). "Keolis Downer opens Brisbane's first all-electric bus depot". Australasian Bus & Coach. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  34. ^ Kok, Yufeng (17 November 2022). "Made in S'pore: Local bus builders eye slice of electrification pie". The Straits Times. Singapore. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  35. ^ Nehru, Veishnawi (21 May 2024). "Volvo launches Malaysia's first electric city bus". The Malaysian Reserve.
  36. ^ "Volvo Buses launches the BZL, the electric superbus for urban applications". Busworld Latin America. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  37. ^ Chávez, Elkin (1 June 2023). "Llega a Colombia el Volvo BZL, chasis de bus 100% eléctrico para operaciones urbanas" [The Volvo BZL arrives in Colombia, 100% electric bus chassis for urban operations]. Autocosmos Colombia (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  38. ^ "Volvo BZL starts trials in Brazil". Coach & Bus Week. Peterborough. 31 October 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  39. ^ "Volvo Buses starts validating electric bi-articulated buses in Latin America – the first buses from its BZR electromobility platform on trial". Volvo Buses (Press release). 30 May 2024. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
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