Volvo Buses B5L
| Years of manufacture | 2008 to present |
| Length | 10 or 12 metres |
| Width | 2520 millimetres |
| Fuel | Diesel-electric hybrid |
The Volvo Buses B5L is a diesel-electric hybrid bus chassis for single deck and double deck buses. A five litre diesel engine is mounted vertically on the left side of the rear overhang and is connected to Volvo's Integrated Starter Alternator Motor (I-SAM). I-SAM has a permanent magnet motor that also functions as a generator and is integrated with Volvo's I-Shift transmission. A power management unit (PMU) regulates the use of diesel power or electric power, gear modes, and charging of the energy storage batteries. The PMU is located to the left of the engine. Located in front of the PMU is the energy converter.
At the 2016 Euro Bus Expo, Volvo launched the B5LHC chassis for double decker buses. It features a more powerful electric motor, increased capacity Lithium Ion battery rated at 19 kilowatt hours, and equipment for opportunity charging. Like the 7900 Electric Hybrid, the B5LHC is capable of operating in full-electric mode for approximately seven kilometres. External electric charging is completed in three to six minutes with an overhead pantograph.[1]
Volvo introduced the B5L S-Charge in 2020. A self-charging hybrid bus chassis, it does not need an external charger to operate in extended all-electric mode. It can run at a speed of up to 50 kilometres per hour for 1 kilometre in all-electric mode. Volvo’s Zone Management can allow the operator to set areas where the engine automatically shuts off for all-electric operation.
The B5L was introduced as a single deck bus in September 2008 at the IAA Commercial Vehicles Show in Hanover, Germany.[2] It was built as a hybrid version of the 7700, which has been succeeded by the 7900. Two months later at the Euro Bus Expo, Volvo unveiled the first B5L as a double deck bus.[3] The bus used Wrightbus's Eclipse Gemini bodywork and was built for Arriva London. The Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 body succeed the Eclipse Gemini in 2009. In 2013, Wright introduced their Gemini 3 body. In 2015, Stagecoach Group became the first to take delivery of the Alexander Dennis Enviro400H on the B5L chassis. The same year, MCV Bus and Coach launched the new EvoSeti on the B5TL and B5L chassis.
Specifications
| Engine | Emissions | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Volvo D5E 4 cylinder, 5 litre, 210 hp | Euro 5 | 2008 to 2011 |
| Volvo D5F 4 cylinder, 4.76 litre, 215 hp | Euro 5 | 2011 to 2014 |
| Volvo D5K 4 cylinder, 5.1 litre, 240 hp | Euro 6/EEV | 2014 onward |
| Electric motor/generator | ||
| Volvo I-SAM 600 V AC | ||
| Transmission | Availability | |
| Volvo AT2412D | With Euro 5 | |
| Volvo AT2412E | With Euro 6 | |
| Energy storage | ||
| 600 V lithium-ion batteries | ||
| Front axle | ||
| Rigid beam axle 7,100kg capacity | ||
| Drive axle | ||
| ZF AV 132 12,000kg capacity | ||
| Brakes | ||
| All wheel disc brakes with EBS5, ABS & TC | ||
| Steering | ||
| ZF hydraulic power steering w/ electrically driven pump | ||
References
- ↑ “World Premiere for Volvo B5LHC Double Deck Electric Hybrid in Birmingham.” Volvo Buses. Press release. 01 November 2016.
- ↑ Millikin, Mike. (25 September 2008) Volvo Introduces Hybrid Version of 7700 Bus; Up to 30% Reduction in Fuel Consumption. Green Car Congress. Retrieved on 20 January 2010.
- ↑ World Premiere for Volvo’s double-decker hybrid (Press release). Volvo Buses. Retrieved on 22 June.
- Volvo Hybrid Folder, volvobuses.com, retrieved on 2010-01-20