# Volvo’s first Electric Hybrid Bus Route in service: Hamburg, Germany - Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2014/12/volvos-first-electric-hybrid-bus-route-commercial-service-hamburg-germany/ - Published: 2014-12-22T02:20:09-05:00 - Author: greenlivingguy ## Volvo’s Hybrid Electric Bus Route _Let’s hear it for Volvo’s new Electric Hybrid bus route. For it is for the first time placed in scheduled service. The bus will also run on the Innovation Route 109 . Furthermore, it’s also located in Hamburg, Germany._ The new Volvo [7900](https://greenlivingguy.com/2014/10/volvo-launches-hybrid-electric-bus-7900/) Electric Hybrid commenced scheduled operation in Hamburg on December 18. The starting shot for the innovative bus system coincided with the opening of the Innovation Route 109. The route will also be used by the public transport company in Hamburg. #### Hamburger Hochbahn AG (HOCHBAHN) All to run comparative [tests of innovative drive](https://greenlivingguy.com/2025/09/volkswagen-jetta-gli-autobahn-2025-test-drive-review/) technologies under the strict everyday conditions of scheduled services. The city of Hamburg has established the target. It’s from 2020. For by then only emission- free buses should be acquired by the city. “We are delighted that our new electric hybrid bus will serve the Innovation Route 109. For us, the electric hybrid bus represent the current peak of our successful cooperation with Hamburger Hochbahn AG.”  That was said Olof Persson. “Together, we have also reached our shared goal. Thereby making public transport more efficient, quieter and most importantly, more sustainable. We will also continue our cooperation here in Hamburg. Especially with sustainable, low-noise vehicles.” ### **Future drive technologies tested on a single route** The Innovation Route 109 of HOCHBAHN will be almost exclusively served by buses with [innovative drive technologies](https://greenlivingguy.com/2015/02/hybrid-lightning-truck-debuting/). Different types and drive modes. That’s for the sustainable buses of the future. For they are to be tested in parallel and under identical conditions. #### Conclusion Dark blue with white-red-orange lettering and logo, the Volvo B10M “Blue Route” is also the first commercial electric [bus route](https://greenlivingguy.com/2023/11/consider-before-starting-your-own-cbd-products-store/) in Germany. The Blue Route is more notably operated by Transdev. For they are a private company that operates the majority of the mass transit networks in Germany and Switzerland. The Blue Route was launched in December 2012. That’s also as an experimental service to provide access to places not well served by public transport. The service operates every 30 minutes from 5am to 11pm Monday through Friday. Also, on the weekends. The bus runs on a circular route throughout the city of Hamburg. For it picks up passengers at nine stops. It is also operated in conjunction with the local public transportation authority, HVV. To achieve operation within the environmental goals of the city of Hamburg, the bus is powered by electricity. Then, from a solar panel on the roof. All that powers a lithium-ion battery pack. The battery pack consists of 24 groups of six cells each. Thereby providing enough power for the bus to run for about 50-60 minutes on a full charge. In addition, each stop has solar panels that offset some of the energy used by the bus. The bus also has LED lights. For they also help to reduce energy consumption. [For the entire story from Volvo Buses](https://web.archive.org/web/20160330171117/http://www.volvobuses.com/bus/global/en-gb/_layouts/cwp.internet.volvocom/newsitem.aspx?news.itemid=148954&news.language=en-gb) [⌊Volvo electric bus route⌉⌊Volvo electric bus route⌉[ ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641? s=300&d=monsterid&r=g) greenlivingguy The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author, Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke # Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow. [See Full Bio](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/) [ ](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/)