Volvo BZL

The Volvo BZL is a full-size zero-emission battery electric bus chassis for both single-decker buses and double-decker buses manufactured by Volvo since 2021.[3]

Volvo BZL
Volvo BZL on display at the 2022 Euro Bus Expo
Overview
ManufacturerVolvo Buses
Production2021–
AssemblyBorås, Sweden
Body and chassis
ClassElectric bus
Doors1, 2 or 3
Floor typeLow floor
Powertrain
Power output200 kWh electric motor
Battery282/376/470 kW lithium iron phosphate[1]
Dimensions
Length
  • Single-decker bus
  • 9–13 metres (30–43 ft)
  • Double-decker bus
  • 10.3–10.9 metres (34–36 ft)
[2]
Width2,500 millimetres (8.2 ft)
Chronology
PredecessorVolvo B5LH
Volvo B8RLE

The BZL Electric range was launched in September 2021, with the first right-hand drive examples being built as demonstrators for the UK and Ireland market with double-decker and single-decker bodies by MCV Bus & Coach. The chassis range features CO2 heat pump-powered heating and ventilation, and is claimed to be 90% recyclable. It is also built to a high safety standard with multiple new safety innovations such as sealed battery compartments and a strengthened front frame. Metroline have received the double-deck demonstrator built to Transport for London specification, which they plan to evaluate alongside other battery electric London buses.[4][5][2]

Orders
A Transperth Volgren Optimus bodied Volvo BZL in Kewdale, Australia
A Tower Transit SC Neustar City bodied Volvo BZL in Singapore

The first Volvo BZLs for the United Kingdom were delivered to Stagecoach West Scotland, with deliveries for 25 MCV-bodied single-deck BZLs for use in Ayrshire commencing in February 2023.[6] Stagecoach East are also to receive 30 double-deck BZLs from April 2023, six months later than planned, with the buses intended for use on the Cambridge park and ride and other services in the city.[7] Stagecoach Manchester's Stockport depot is to take delivery 150 double-deck and 20 single-deck BZLs in summer 2024, the largest zero-emissions bus order by the Stagecoach Group to date.[8]

48 MCV-bodied single-deck BZLs specified to 9.7m, 10.35m and 10.8m lengths have also been ordered by Metroline, with delivery planned for the second half of 2023.[9] Demonstrators have entered service with Lothian Buses in Edinburgh and Stagecoach South in Winchester.

In Australia, a BZL with a Volgren Optimus single-decker body designed for the Australia and New Zealand market was unveiled in October 2021 at Volvo's Australian headquarters in Brisbane.[10][11] The first four Volgren-bodied BZLs entered service with the Western Australia Public Transport Authority in the suburbs of Perth between February and March 2022,[12] while 17 will service with Transdev Queensland beginning February 2023.[13] A BZL will also be demonstrated in Colombia over a period of six months.[14]

In Singapore, a Volvo BZL with a three-door SC Neustar City body was unveiled in November 2022, developed in joint partnership between Volvo and local bus and coach bodywork manufacturer SC Auto. The bus entered service on trial with Tower Transit Singapore on 26 March 2023 on Service 990.[15]

References
  1. "BZL Electric chassis specifications". Volvo Bus. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  2. Render, Stuart (10 December 2021). "Volvo continues its electric journey". Buses. Stamford: Key Publishing. Retrieved 18 December 2021.(subscription required)
  3. "Volvo BZL Electric bus chassis". Volvo Bus. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  4. "Volvo launches BZL Electric; UK demonstration to start soon". RouteOne. 27 September 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  5. "Volvo Buses launches new BZL e-bus platform". Coach & Bus Week. Peterborough. 28 September 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  6. "First Volvo BZL deliveries for Stagecoach West Scotland". routeone. 20 February 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  7. "ZEBRA buses for Cambridge imminent". Coach & Bus Week. Peterborough. 21 March 2023. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  8. "Volvo BZL to form Stagecoach Stockport 170 e-bus fleet". routeone. 6 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  9. "Metroline orders 48 Volvo BZL electric single-deckers". routeone. 30 November 2022. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  10. "Volvo launches new BZL Electric bus chassis". Trucksales. 1 October 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  11. Cotter, Fabian (15 February 2022). "Milestone 200,000th Volvo bus chassis Oz bound". Australasian Bus & Coach. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
  12. "Volvo Volgren BZL electric buses successfully delivering cleaner transport to Perth". Australasian Bus & Coach. 30 November 2022. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  13. Vorrath, Sophie (13 January 2023). "Queensland adds 17 new electric buses to its fleet, powered by solar depot". TheDriven.io. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  14. "Volvo will test its new BZL Electric Bus in Colombian streets". Colombiabus. 4 October 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  15. Kok, Yufeng (17 November 2022). "Made in S'pore: Local bus builders eye slice of electrification pie". The Straits Times. Singapore. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
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