Volvo is claiming that it’s bus plant in Borås in Sweden, has become one of the first bus production facilities in the world to rely solely on renewable energy.
All energy the factory uses now comes from renewable sources, such as hydropower and biofuels. The factory’s overall energy consumption has also been reduced by 15 per cent in the past few years.
The Volvo Buses Borås plant has been certified by Volvo as a “Renewable Energy Facility” and the certification was issued following a number of steps designed to minimise the factory’s climate footprint. Volvo says the certification is important for the Australian market according to the general manager of Volvo Bus Australia, Lauren Downes.
“Knowing that the Volvo Group worldwide really do have a commitment to ensuring sustainability starts long before our products even hit the road is very reassuring, “ said Lauren Downes.
“As we continue to deliver Euro 6 and hybrid vehicles today, and move towards bringing our first full electric vehicles to the Australian market, we are reassured that our organisation continues to be a leader in sustainable transport solutions”, she added.
Production manager at the Volvo Buses Borås plant, Joakim Wretman said that Volvo is proud to have reduced our climate impact by only using renewable sources and all the energy we purchase is fossil-free.
“Most of the electricity comes from hydropower, and the fork-lift trucks in the factory run on electricity or HVO, which is a renewable fuel,” said Joakim Wretman.
Volvo says that in. recent years, the factory has also implemented a number of measures that together cut energy consumption by 15 per cent.
“For instance, we have replaced conventional fluorescent bulbs with LED light fittings and the manufacturing plant’s lighting is regulated automatically so it is only active during actual production. We also ensure that no electricity-consuming equipment remains switched on when it is not needed,” added Joakim Wretman.
“We have noted immense enthusiasm on the part of all our employees, and our local partner has contributed both know-how and practical solutions.”
Volvo says that in order to reduce the plant’s climate footprint, cooperation has been necessary and an example of this is the Borås factory’s participation in Autofreight, a project designed to reduce transportation between the Viared Logistics Park and the Port of Gothenburg. It’s a solution that has already helped reduce CO2 emissions by about 30 per cent.
The company adds that reducing the climate impact of production is one of several aspects of Volvo Buses’ environment-enhancing work.
“We regard our products in a lifecycle perspective and work tirelessly to reduce our environmental impact at every stage, from production, to daily operation, reuse and recycling.
Up-to-date examples are our ongoing projects for repurposing our electric bus batteries, which can now enjoy a second life as energy storage units in homes,” explains Andreas Carlén, energy efficiency & environment director at Volvo Buses.
Volvo says that the Borås plant is Volvo Buses’ bus chassis production hub and has an annual production capacity of approximately 10,000 bus chassis and is staffed with around 300 workers, adding that it is the fifth facility within the Volvo Group to receive a “Renewable Energy Facility” certification
