Volvo 7900H Hybrid Test drive in Berlin BRT

Hamburg hybrid-drive bus
V 7900 H
HOCHBAHN

[description]
The first Volvo hybrid model 7900 buses were delivered to HOCHBAHN at the end of 2014. Previous models have already been used since 2011 at a subsidiary company.

The initially delivered 5 solo and 15 articulated vehicles were supplemented by switching 6 additional solo buses from Jasper to HOCHBAHN. All buses were outfitted with "VisionAir" house advertising in the first weeks and have been featuring this look ever since.

Volvo's model 7900 has been introduced in 2011 and is being manufactured in Poland. The parallel hybrid drive contains a 4-cylinder Diesel engine (177 kW) and an electric motor (110 kw). There is no traditional torque converter gearbox but a 12-speed automatic shift transmission named "I-Shift".

The buses comply with Euro 6 standard. Exhausts are cleaned with AdBlue injection. The energy for electric drive is stored in a 600 V lithium ion battery. This battery can be recharged by the Diesel engine and recuperation of brake energy. A distinctive feature compared to classic Diesel buses are the electrically driven auxiliaries. Pressured air compressor, heat and A/C and doors are not connected to the combustion engine but powered by electricity. Two seperate 24V batteries are used to compensate the high power usage.

All vehicles also feature kneeling, electric roof hatches and a fold-out ramp.

Common to all three-door and four-door buses of HOCHBAHN, the rear doors can be controlled either by the driver's switch buttons or by the passengers in automatic mode.

The buses are equipped with LED daytime running lights and LED rear lighting. The seperate off-center line number and target displays in the rear can be considered an odd feature. A passenger information system with 2 LCD screens is mounted in the front ceiling area.

Side and roof parts are made of aluminum to save weight. The vehicles still have an above-average empty weight due to the hybrid drive and battery technology.

Liveries VHH and Jasper are offered as a visual variety and do not feature technical details of these vehicles.

Model vehicles for the virtual buses were HOCHBAHN buses no 1474 and 7477.

-- Technical data --
Length: 12,134 mm
Width: 2,550 mm
Height: 3,265 mm

Allowed gross weight: 17,980 kg

Max. speed: 85 kph

Seatings: 28+1
Standings: 48

Drive: Volvo D5F 215, 4-cylinder in-line Diesel engine, 177 kW/918 Nm
and electric motor Volvo I-SAM, 110 kW/800 Nm