How about a bus route with quiet, emission-free vehicles, powered by renewable electricity, which picks up passengers indoors? Or a quick and smooth journey over the river with an electric ferry?
This is already a reality in Gothenburg, and there is more to come. ElectriCity is underway – an exciting collaboration where industry, research and society develop and test solutions for tomorrow’s electrified transport. Quiet, exhaust-free buses, ferries and heavy vehicles, powered by renewable electricity, are included in the demo arena.
ELECTRIC BUSES
In Gothenburg today (June, 2020) electric buses are used on route 55* and part of route 16 (EL16). There are three all-electric buses and seven electric hybrids operating on route 55, which connects Chalmers University of Technology with Lindholmen Science Park via 13 stops, some of which are in the central part of Gothenburg. The trip takes approximately 25 minutes. On one part of route 16, connecting Chalmers and Lindholmen and further stops, two all-electric articulated buses are used, that can carry up to 135 passengers each. The electric buses on route 55 and 16 are powered entirely by renewable electricity, which results in a very small climate footprint. In addition, there will be another 157 electric buses operating in the Gothenburg area.
ALL-ELECTRIC FERRY SHUTTLES PASSENGERS
Aimed to be a model of future clean urban development, a new electrically powered ferry started to shuttle passengers over the Göta River in November 2019. While Gothenburg’s waterways already feature ferries powered by electricity, in the form of diesel-electric engines, these operate on short routes across the river. ElectriCity’s Volvo Penta-powered electric vessel, meanwhile, is the first all-electric ferry in the city able to complete longer, multi-stop routes along the river, and ultimately incorporate quick charging capabilities.
Using electric power in public transport systems helps to resolve problems such as noise and poor air quality, as well as lowering energy use and the impact of transport on the climate.
A COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIP
Gothenburg’s ElectriCity partnership is a collaboration between industry, academia and local government. It involves developing, testing, demonstrating and evaluating solutions that will contribute to the establishment of new, sustainable, attractive transportation systems and open new opportunities for future travel, transportation of goods and urban planning.
*) The route 55 tests ended on 11 December 2020 and route 55 is no longer in service.