Volvo B5LH
{{Short description|Low-floor hybrid-electric bus chassis}}
{{globalize|2=the United Kingdom|date=November 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2015}}
{{Infobox UK Bus
| name = Volvo B5LH (B5L Hybrid/BRLH)
Volvo B5LHC
Volvo B5L S-Charge
| image = AL HV63 R29.jpg
| caption = Arriva London Wright Eclipse Gemini 2-bodied Volvo B5LH double decker in December 2024
| manufacturer = Volvo
| production = 2008-2009 (pre-production batches with D5E engine, B5LH)
2010-present (serial production, B5LH)
2016-2018 (B5LHC)
2020-present (B5L S-Charge)
| capacity = up to 90 Passengers
| operator = Arriva
FirstGroup
Go-Ahead Group
Metroline and others
| length = {{convert|10.5|m|ftin|abbr=on}} or {{convert|11.5|m|ftin|abbr=on}} (Early version: {{convert|10.4|m|ftin|abbr=on}}) (Double-decker)
{{convert|18.0|m|ftin|abbr=on}} (Articulated)
| width = {{convert|2.55|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| height = varies, depending on bus body type
| floortype = Low floor
| doors = Single door or Dual door
| weight =
| chassis =
| engine = Euro V: Volvo D5F-215 and I-SAM
Euro VI: D5K-240 and I-SAM
| powerout =
| transmission = Volvo I-Shift 12-speed auto
| options =
}}
The Volvo B5LH (initially known as the Volvo B5L Hybrid, also known as the Volvo BRLH) is a low-floor hybrid electric bus chassis for both single-decker buses and double-decker buses manufactured by Volvo since 2008. It is the basis for Volvo's integral 7700 Hybrid full low floor city bus and its successor, the 7900 Hybrid from 2011. In 2008, pre-production batches of both types of chassis were manufactured. Serial production started in June 2010.[https://www.volvobuses.com/bus/global/en-gb/newsmedia/pressreleases/_layouts/CWP.Internet.VolvoCom/NewsItem.aspx?News.ItemId=83234&News.Language=en-gb Volvo to commence serial production of hybrid buses] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100801073622/http://www.volvobuses.com/bus/global/en-gb/newsmedia/pressreleases/_layouts/CWP.Internet.VolvoCom/NewsItem.aspx?News.ItemId=83234&News.Language=en-gb |date=1 August 2010 }} Volvo Buses 28 May 2010 From 2013 it is also available as an articulated bus chassis.
An updated version, the Volvo B5LHC, was launched in 2016, designed for high-capacity inner-city work. The chassis was available with Wright SRM bodywork. The B5LHC was discontinued in 2018 after only two examples built, with Volvo instead focusing on developing the Volvo BZL battery electric bus chassis.{{Cite news|author=|date=2018 |title=Electric 'decker due from Volvo as hybrid grows |url=https://www.route-one.net/news/volvo_has_ze__decker_as_b5lh_goes_single_deck/ |access-date=16 December 2023|work=routeone}}
On 14 April 2020, Volvo announced the S-Charge self-charging hybrid version of B5L chassis, which replaced the original hybrid model.[https://www.volvobuses.com/en-en/news/2020/april/volvo-new-self-charging-bus-can-now-drive-longer.html Volvo's new self-charging bus can now drive longer | Volvo Buses] It is known as Volvo B5L S-Charge and can run in electric mode at the speeds up to 50 km/h, up from 20 km/h in previous model. The previous B5LH continues to be available in certain markets.
Design and performance
The B5LH is powered by Volvo's in-house parallel hybrid drive train that couple its I-SAM motor to a 5-litre D5-series diesel engine. The drive train is connected to the Volvo I-Shift automatic transmission that drives the rear axle. The whole drive train is mounted in-line at the left rear of the chassis, similar to the B7L. A lithium battery pack is mounted just behind the front left wheel, powering the I-SAM motor system.
The B5LH features stop-start system that allows its engine to cut off when the bus is stationary and the battery is sufficiently charged. It is also capable to drive at full-electric mode from standstill to up to {{Convert|20|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}. In service, Volvo claims that the B5LH achieves 35% improvement on fuel consumption and reduces the emission of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide by an equivalent amount.[http://allaboutbuses.wordpress.com/2008/11/04/world-debut-for-volvo-hybrid-double-deck World Debut for Volvo Hybrid Double-deck] Allaboutbuses 4 November 2008 In-service data in London shows that the B5LH is demonstrating between 25 and 40% of fuel consumption improvement.[http://www.boriswatch.co.uk/2013/06/24/hybrid-fuel-consumption-at-last-the-truth/ Hybrid Fuel Consumption – At Last The Truth?] Boriswatch 24 June 2013
Operators
=Norway=
At least four Volvo 7700 Hybrid prototypes were built in late 2008 for initial testing before some of them from 2009 toured many countries as demonstrators, only having short periods of proper duty at various places. In early 2012 two of them ended up in the city of Alta in Finnmark, Norway for year-long testing in the arctic climate with local operator Boreal Transport.
=Ireland=
A Wright Gemini 3 bodied Volvo B5LH demonstrator was delivered to Dublin Bus in early 2014 for evaluation; Dublin planned to lease 3 of the vehicles, but were unable to fund the lease.{{cite news |last1=Griffin |first1=Dan |title=Government turns down Dublin Bus funding request for trial of hybrid buses |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/dublin-bus-refused-funding-for-trial-of-hybrid-buses-1.2510039 |access-date=10 December 2018 |newspaper=The Irish Times |date=26 January 2016 |ref=DublinFunding}}
=Australia=
In 2017, Latrobe Valley Bus Lines, Australia, purchased 8, bodied with local Volgren bodywork.{{cite news |title=Volvo Sells Eight Hybrid Buses to Australia |work=Contify Automotive News |date=21 November 2017 |ref=LVBLorder|id={{Factiva|AUTONW0020171121edbl0008m}}}} Also in the same state of Victoria, 50 Volve B5LHs were delivered to CDC Melbourne between 2019 and 2022, and the fleet was once the largest hybrid bus fleet in Australia.{{cite web|url=https://cdcvictoria.com.au/latest-news/comfortdelgro-australia-delivers-australias-largest-hybrid-bus-fleet-to-melbournes-streets/|title=ComfortDelGro Australia Delivers Australia's Largest Hybrid Bus Fleet to Melbourne's Streets|publisher=CDC Victoria|date=17 October 2022|access-date=8 August 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.volvobuses.com/au/news/2022/oct/comfortdelgro-australia-welcomes-50th-milestone-volvo-volgren-hy.html|title=ComfortDelGro Australia welcomes 50th milestone Volvo Volgren Hybrid to its fleet|publisher=Volvo Buses|date=17 October 2022|access-date=8 August 2024}}
=Singapore=
The Land Transport Authority purchased fifty MCV Evora bodied Volvo B5LH buses for S$30 million. They entered service from December 2018 with SBS Transit and SMRT Buses initially. {{Cite news|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/lta-50-diesel-hybrid-buses-electric-buses-by-second-half-of-2018-9299830|title=LTA to roll out 50 diesel hybrid buses by second half of 2018|work=Channel NewsAsia|access-date=2017-10-18}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.volvobuses.com/en-en/news/2017/oct/breakthrough-order-of-50-volvo-hybrid-buses-to-singapore.html|title=Breakthrough order of 50 Volvo hybrid buses to Singapore, Volvo Buses|access-date=2017-10-18}}{{cite web | url=https://www.lta.gov.sg/apps/news/page.aspx?c=2&id=5c871113-532f-428c-ae19-14b4cd755c66 | title=LTA to Deploy 50 Diesel Hybrid Buses from December 2018 | date=26 November 2018| access-date=10 December 2018}} The buses were registered SG3000T - SG3049D. {{Cite web |url=https://sgwiki.com/wiki/Singapore_Bus_Fleet|title=Singapore Bus Fleet|access-date=9 February 2025}} In 2021, Tower Transit took over several units of the B5LH from SMRT as part of the handover of the Sembawang-Yishun Bus Package under the Bus Contracting Model (BCM). All Sembawang-Yishun Package's bus routes have utilised B5LHs under Tower Transit. the Hybrid-electric buses were powered by Volvo D5K-240 engine, Volvo integrated starter alternator motor I-SAM with lithium ion batteries and fitted with 12-speed Volvo AT2412E I-Shift transmission, an electric air-conditioning unit system are located at the roof of the bus supplied by Valeo (model: REVO).
=United Kingdom=
File:Volvo B5L Scaled Sharpened 300px.jpg-bodied B5LH in January 2010]]
File:LK14FBX-VWH2020-328-20240417-171551.jpg-bodied Volvo B5LH in April 2024]]
Prior to the introduction of battery electric buses to many of these operators, the hybrid B5LH gained popularity with bus operators across the UK. The first batch of six pre-production B5LH double-deckers entered service with Arriva London in 2009,[http://www.arrivalondon.com/news_archive/7/slug:Volvo-Hybrid-Double-Deck-handed-over-at-historic-venue Volvo Hybrid Double Deck handed over at historic venue] Arriva London 9 July 2009 with production examples later entering service with TfL bus operators Go-Ahead London, London Sovereign, Metroline and Stagecoach London. Outside the capital, the B5LH has been purchased by BakerBus, Brighton & Hove, Bullocks Coaches, Ensignbus, First Essex, First Greater Manchester, First Leeds, Go North East, National Express West Midlands, Oxford Bus Company and Preston Bus.[https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/344669/green-bus-fund-table.pdf Low carbon buses part-funded through the Green Bus fund] UK Government In many cases, a number of operators took deliveries of B5LHs alongside its main rival, the serial hybrid drive Alexander Dennis Enviro400H.
The B5LH was highly popular with both Arriva's London and regional operations, where following the successful trial of the first four B5LHs delivered in 2009, Arriva made further orders of B5LHs for its operations in London, Kent,{{cite news |last=Boyle |first=Danny |date=15 March 2013 |title=Arriva buses a breath of cleaner air in Maidstone |url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/news/arriva-buses-a-breath-of-cleaner-a54863/ |work=Kent Online |access-date=28 August 2022}} Manchester and Merseyside,{{cite web |last=Challen |first=John |url=http://www.transportengineer.org.uk/transport-engineer-news/arriva-north-west-goes-for-44-volvo-hybrid-buses/48628 |title=Arriva North West goes for 44 Volvo hybrid buses |date=19 March 2013 |website=Transport Engineer |access-date=16 December 2023}}{{cite news |author= |date=5 March 2013|title=Arriva invests £15.5m in green buses for NW |url=https://cbwmagazine.com/arriva-invests-15-5m-in-green-buses-for-nw/ |work=Coach & Bus Week |location=Peterborough |publisher=Emap |access-date=16 December 2023}} Northumbria and Yorkshire,{{cite press release |author= |title=Arriva places £26.7m orders for 98 new greener buses |url=https://news.arriva.co.uk/news/arriva-places-26-7m-orders-for-98-new-greener-buses |location= |publisher=Arriva UK Bus |date=23 March 2012 |access-date=16 December 2023}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-22168757 |title=Arriva Yorkshire unveils fleet of 'Frankenbuses' |publisher=BBC News |date=16 April 2013|access-date=16 December 2023}} with a total of 259 examples being delivered with Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 bodies. The chassis was also delivered to Lothian Buses, with 20 Wright Gemini 3 bodied Volvo B5LHs delivered alongside a fleet of Volvo 7900H single deckers in 2015,{{cite news |last=Cole |first=David |date=29 September 2015 |title=Doors Open Day |url=https://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/doors-open-day/ |work=Bus & Coach Buyer |location=Peterborough |access-date=14 December 2023 |quote=The latest deliveries, this summer's 20 Volvo B5LH Wrightbus Gemini 3s with the latest frontal styling, carry standard madder, white and gold fleet livery.}} followed by a further 20 Gemini 3 bodied B5LHs equipped with luggage racks in 2017 for use on Airlink and Skylink services to Edinburgh Airport.{{cite news |last=Stephen |first=Phyllis |date=29 September 2017 |title=Lothian Buses roll out first of all-electric vehicles |url=https://theedinburghreporter.co.uk/2017/09/lothian-buses-roll-out-first-of-all-electric-vehicles/ |work=The Edinburgh Reporter |access-date=16 December 2023}}
Initially, Wrightbus has been the solitary double-decker body supplier of the chassis. The pre-production batch was fitted with Eclipse Gemini bodywork, and production chassis to date received Eclipse Gemini 2 body. A lighter Gemini 3 was later offered to the Euro VI version of the chassis. In March 2014, Volvo would secure a first order of the type from the Stagecoach Group for use on its Stagecoach Strathtay 'Tayway 73' service. These 18 buses were given Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC bodies and also were operated with conductors until 2020;{{cite news |author= |date=27 May 2015|title=Stagecoach launches its ADL Volvo 'deckers |url=https://cbwmagazine.com/stagecoach-launches-its-adl-volvo-deckers/ |work=Coach & Bus Week |location=Peterborough |publisher=Emap |access-date=16 December 2023}} a further 40 were delivered to Stagecoach London across two batches in 2015,{{cite book|last=Wharmby|first=Matthew|title=The London Volvo B9TL & B5LH|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VN0mEAAAQBAJ|access-date=16 December 2023|date=30 January 2020|publisher=Pen and Sword Transport|isbn=978-1-52674-963-5|pages=163–168}}{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Stuart |date=27 October 2014 |title=Your partner for the complete journey |url=https://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/partner-complete-journey/ |work=Bus & Coach Buyer |location=Peterborough |access-date=16 December 2023|quote=Phil [Owen] is very pleased that after a long gap Volvo had won its first bus orders from Stagecoach group. Stagecoach Dundee is to take 18 B5LH hybrids with ADL bodies in June/July 2015, 32 having been supplied to Stagecoach London earlier this year.}} while Go-Ahead London also took delivery of Enviro400 MMC bodied B5LHs around the same time.{{Cite news|author=|date=27 October 2015|title=16 new Volvo B5LHs get the Go-Ahead in London |url=https://www.route-one.net/news/16_new_volvo_b5lhs_get_the_goahead_in_london/ |access-date=16 December 2023|work=routeone |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319170818/https://www.route-one.net/news/16_new_volvo_b5lhs_get_the_goahead_in_london/ |archive-date=19 March 2022}}
Engines
D5E,[http://www.volvobuses.com/SiteCollectionDocuments/VBC/Switzerland/Datenblaetter/Datenblatt%20VTS0906.pdf Datenblatt VTS0906] Volvo Bus Schweiz 4764 cc, in-line 4 cyl. turbodiesel (2008—2009)
- D5E215 - 158 kW (215 bhp), 800 Nm, Euro V
D5F,[http://www.volvobuses.com/SiteCollectionDocuments/VBC/United_Kingdom_and_Ireland/Downloads/Volvo%20B5LH%20Spec%20sheet.pdf Volvo B5LH spec sheet] Volvo Buses - UK & Ireland 4764 cc, in-line 4 cyl. turbodiesel (2009—2013)
- D5F215 - 161 kW (219 bhp), 800 Nm, Euro V/EEV
D5K,[http://www.volvobuses.com/SiteCollectionDocuments/VBC/Downloads/Volvo-D5K-Hybrid-Euro6-Fact-Sheet-EN.pdf Volvo D5K Hybrid Euro6 fact sheet] Volvo Buses 5132 cc, in-line 4 cyl. turbodiesel (2013—present)
- D5K240 - 177 kW (240 bhp), 918 Nm, Euro VI
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{commons category-inline}}
{{Volvo Buses|state=collapsed}}
Category:Hybrid electric buses