ComfortDelGro Corporation Australia (CDC) is delivering on its promise to reduce carbon and particulate emissions from public transport with the arrival of the 50th vehicle to Australia’s largest hybrid bus fleet run by its subsidiary, CDC Victoria.
Completed in partnership with the Department of Transport, the roll-out of 50 hybrid buses to service Melbourne customers marks a significant milestone for Victoria’s public transport network. Since their introduction in April 2019, CDC’s Volvo B5L S-Charge hybrid buses have been achieving major reductions in emissions, noise pollution and fuel consumption while improving the passenger experience.
All 50 low-floor buses feature Volvo’s Parallel Hybrid driveline and meet strict Euro 6 emission standards. Since 2019 the rollout of the hybrid fleet has enabled fuel savings of around 30 per cent and carbon dioxide emission reductions of 30 per cent compared to diesel buses.
Additionally, they are now fitted with Volvo’s Zone Management system which triggers the hybrid system to operate exclusively in electric mode in designated urban areas. This significantly reduces noise and stops exhaust emissions while in the zero-emissions zone. The manufacture of each bus also directly supports the local automotive industry in Victoria, with Volgren in Dandenong, Victoria, building and fitting out all buses.
CDC Victoria CEO, Jeff Wilson, said the completion of the Melbourne hybrid fleet is a significant milestone in the company’s quest for reducing emissions.
“CDC is committed to reducing greenhouse emissions and we have demonstrated this through investment and ongoing research into the available and developing technologies which can help us with our environmental goals and assist governments with achieving net zero emissions by 2050,” Mr Wilson said.
“While the different technologies – such as battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell – have benefits that we will take advantage of as we advance through our zero-emissions vehicle journey, one of the great things about our Volvo Volgren hybrid buses is that they benefit from mature technology which is available for use, right now.
“This means they are already helping us to fulfil our goal of providing tangible environmental benefits while delivering our services without the need for major infrastructure changes, acting as a crucial step down the path towards zero emission vehicles.
“In just over three years, the CDC Victoria hybrid fleet has reduced fuel use by over 826,000 litres and prevented the release of over 2,000 tonnes of greenhouse emissions, compared to the vehicles the hybrids replaced.
“In addition to benefitting public transport customers and the environment, local investment in manufacturing and skills growth in Victoria are also clear winners from the production of these 50 hybrid buses,” he said.
“Receiving this 50th unit is also an exciting stepping-stone for CDC, as we are preparing to deploy eight new Volvo Volgren BZL Electric units progressively from November this year, as part of the Victorian ZEB trial,” he said.
