21 ABB pantograph chargers for the Volvo e-bus fleet in Gothenburg

ABB has been given the task to provide the charging infrastructures for Gothenburg electric bus fleet managed by Transdev. Starting in December 2020, 157 new Volvo 7900 Electric will start trafficking the streets of Gothenburg, Mölndal and Partille (the largest single electric bus order in Europe before Keolis and BYD signed a deal for 259 vehicles). The Swiss group will supply 21 pantograph charging stations.

The new electrified lines will mean a total of 220 electric buses to transport Gothenburg’s residents and visitors by the end of the year.

Sweden to be climate neutral by 2050

In line with the Swedish government’s vision that Sweden should be climate neutral by 2050, public transport company Västtrafik expects to have electrified all city traffic in Västra Götaland by 2030.

19 new high-power electric chargers will be installed during the second half of 2020 before the new buses go into operation, and another two stations are planned for the future.

The buses in Gothenburg, Mölndal and Partille will be charged by 450kW high power Panto Down chargers from ABB. A modular solution based on OppCharge, an open interface for direct current (DC) electric bus charging, the solution offers high-power charging via an automated rooftop connection. ABB will supply a complete solution that includes both the charging stations and all the necessary grid connection hardware via ABB’s cable distribution cabinets, the company points out.

Agnevall: electric buses are today

“Volvo Buses is a leader in electromobility and solutions for sustainable public transport. Together with ABB and our partners, we have created a common holistic transport solution that will make public transport in Gothenburg quieter and emission-free”, says Håkan Agnevall, President, Volvo Buses. “The solution shows that electric buses are not only something for the future, but already today provide cities with public transport that is sustainable and financially viable.”

“The sustainable transformation of bus traffic in Gothenburg is an example of how ABB is pursuing its Mission to Zero, with the goal to develop innovations that will contribute to a zero-emission future. We have the products and solutions to deliver electricity from generation to the point of consumption in a safe, smart and sustainable way”, says Frank Muehlon, Head of ABB’s global business for E-mobility Infrastructure Solutions.