Volvo Buses presents electric city bus for Mexico
Volvo Buses has unveiled a new all-electric city bus for the Mexican market that will be manufactured locally. The new model is called Luminus and is available in different lengths from 9.7 to 13 metres and with battery capacities ranging from 280 to 470 kWh.
The Luminus is built on Volvo Buses’ BZL Electric platform and is produced at the manufacturer’s plant in Tultitlán, Mexico. With its electric drive and local production, the model is supposed to represent nothing less than “the most sustainable solution for urban transport in Mexico”, according to the manufacturer.
In the press release, the Swedish company did not specify the ranges that will be possible with the different battery and body variants, nor do they say anything about the charging system. Instead, they say that the battery pack is positioned “in such a way that the entire interior space is optimally used”. Other special features mentioned include predictive safety systems, a low entrance and the “widest centre door on the market”.
Volvo Buses emphasises that it is the only manufacturer to have developed a closed-loop model that makes it possible to use the batteries in the electric buses for other purposes at the end of their useful life. For this, Volvo Buses is working together with Batteryloop and Connected Energy.
“Volvo Buses’ extensive experience in the Mexican market ensures that we can provide customers with a comprehensive solution that goes beyond just electric buses,” said Rafael Kisel, president of Volvo Group Mexico. “We are involved in the planning and dimensioning processes, taking into consideration the requirements of each route and type of operation. We supply the buses and the charging infrastructure and provide services and spare parts for both, as well as financing for the entire system.”
Unlike in Europe, Volvo Buses will still build and offer the Luminus in Mexico as a complete vehicle. For Europe, Volvo made the decision to stop producing complete buses. In future, production in Europe is to concentrate exclusively on chassis in order to offer a range of city and intercity buses as well as coaches together with external bodybuilders – such as in the partnership with MCV. Against this background, the bus plant in Wroclaw, Poland, will be closed.
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