Goiânia fleets in 21 new electric buses

The Metrobus depot features a total of 23 chargers with a capacity of 240 kW, which the operator specifies can supply up to 46 buses with energy at the same time.

When the order was initially placed last year, it was specified that the order comprises 16 articulated buses and five double-articulated buses, which are to be deployed on the east-west line of Goiânia’s public transport network in a ‘BRT’ line (Bus Rapid Transport).

The vehicles are part of the first batch of electric articulated and double-articulated buses to be produced at the Volvo industrial complex in Curitiba, Brazil. The double-articulated bus can carry up to 250 passengers, while the single-articulated version is designed for 180 people.

Volvo also reiterates the technical specifications of the electric buses in its communication, stating that the buses are powered by two 200-kW electric motors, delivering a total output of 400 kW (540 hp), and the battery capacity goes up to 720 kWh on the bi-articulated buses, which carry up to eight batteries. The capacity of the regular articulated buses was not specified.

“This marks a transformational moment for high-capacity urban transport,” says Andre Marques, Vice President, Volvo Buses in Latin America. “Introducing the world’s first electric bi-articulated bus fleet in regular operation shows what strong partnership and a shared commitment to sustainable mobility can achieve.” He further added: “From the first bi-articulated buses in 2005 to today’s fully electric fleet, our collaboration has consistently pushed the boundaries of modern public transport.”

Volvo has been rapidly extending its reach with electric buses of late, having signed a deal to supply electric buses for the 2026 football world cup in Mexico, as well as unveiling a model with 700 km range last September. On the other end of the planet, Volvo is also to supply electric buses in Cape Town.

volvobuses.com, goias.gov.br (in Portuguese)