We can offer electric solutions that meet all customer needs

With the new Volvo 8900 Electric and an upgraded Volvo 7900 Electric – together with the Volvo BZL and Volvo BZR platforms – Volvo Buses strengthens its position within regional and city transport.

Thomas Nylund, Head of Volvo Buses Europe, explains the investment and partnership with body manufacturer MCV.  

Volvo Buses recently launched a broader city offer for Europe. Can you explain what this means?

“It means that we can now offer an electric solution for both city and intercity traffic that can handle all types of conditions and climates. Our new low-entry bus – the Volvo 8900 Electric – covers a whole new segment and makes it possible to electrify commuter bus transport. In parallel with the launch of the Volvo 8900 Electric, we have also upgraded our popular low-floor Volvo 7900 Electric and articulated bus Volvo 7900 Electric Articulated. They have received a significant facelift with a new design on the front and a completely new driver environment with a dynamic instrument cluster, among other things. In addition, both buses are equipped with Volvo’s new active safety systems.”

What opportunities does this offer create for your customers?

“Many cities and regions in Europe have come far in the electrification of city traffic and commuter- and intercity buses are a natural next step. There are already a lot of tenders asking for both electric low-floor applications for city traffic and low-entry solutions for public transport. We also see that there is interest in electric low-entry buses for city traffic. With the Volvo 7900 Electric, including the articulated version, and the new Volvo 8900 Electric, we can offer solutions that meet all these needs.”

Why should you choose Volvo Buses? 

“We have an extremely flexible platform that can be tailored to meet different needs. At Volvo Buses, we have extensive experience and knowledge of electrification and always ensure that customers receive a complete solution that is optimized for their challenges and delivers the right quality. We are also eager to have a strong relationship with our customers through the whole product lifecycle. Volvo Buses has a highly competent and extensive service network, so as our customer, you can always feel confident in the solutions we deliver.”

Volvo Buses has also introduced a new business model in Europe. What does that mean?

“Starting at the beginning of next year, our complete buses – Volvo 8900 Electric and Volvo 7900 Electric – will be manufactured in collaboration with our partner MCV. At the same time, we are collaborating closely with several other body manufacturers, for example for high-floor solutions. This model gives us a lot of flexibility and the opportunities to offer our customers a broader product portfolio and more tailored solutions. With MCV’s extensive competences when it comes to bodies, we can optimize our offer while at the same time focus on what is our core: continuing to develop future drivelines and chassis.”

Can you elaborate more on the collaboration with MCV and what it looks like?

“As our partner, MCV will use the exact same technical body solutions that we have delivered to our customers earlier. The quality requirements we have set for ourselves, we now set for MCV and this applies at all levels – from suppliers to the finished product. Right now, MCV is building a completely new industrial facility which will be ready by the end of the year. Production of the first Volvo 7900 will start in the beginning of 2025.”

What is happening on the coach side in Europe?

“Our global coach platform is highly valued, and we see strong demand for our coach solutions. Within this segment, we collaborate with several different body manufacturers, including Carrus Delta in Finland which today manufactures both double-decker and single-decker vehicles. This way we can offer our customers many different solutions and this is a strategy that we will continue with.

What about your future plans, do you have any more news coming up?

“Our new Volvo 8900 Electric is based on the Volvo BZR platform. This creates big opportunities, and the first electric coaches will also be based on the same platform. For example, it could be used for cruise tourist buses on shorter trips or intercity traffic where you want to offer passengers a more comfortable journey. A natural first step is of course to develop an electric coach.”