Volvo Buses has announced a new contract to supply 38 Volvo BZR Low Entry Electric buses to the City of Cape Town – the very first locally bodied electric buses in South Africa.
Each of the buses will operate within the city’s electric passenger transport system, and will support the area’s wider transition toward zero-emission public mobility.
Based on Volvo Buses’ BZR platform; the Volvo BZRLE Electric bus has been specifically designed to meet various operational needs whilst supporting long-term electrification strategies. All bus bodies will be locally designed and manufactured by Gauteng Bus and Coach Centre in Johannesburg, with each platform aiming to combine energy efficiency, operational reliability and passenger comfort for urban transport systems.
Leon Nelson, Director, Volvo Buses in South Africa, said:This is a landmark project for both Cape Town and for us. We can be very proud to introduce electric buses to the city, and in doing so, prove that we acknowledge and support a sustainable future.
Volvo Buses has acted as a strategic advisor throughout the carefully planned shift from diesel to electric buses, applying a 360-degree perspective that seeks to combine local and global expertise to support infrastructure planning and system implementation.
Each bus features a modern exterior design, as well as a spacious interior that aims to accommodate both seated and standing passengers. A low-entry configuration seeks to ensure smooth boarding and universal accessibility, including wheelchair accommodation and preferential seating, whilst installed energy capacity is dimensioned to meet the City of Cape Town’s operational requirements.
