Volvo Group and Societe de transport de Montreal in Strategic Partnership: Montreal to Become City of Electro Mobility

MONTREAL, Nov. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Volvo Group's North American subsidiary, Nova Bus, and the Societe de transport de Montreal, STM, have entered into an agreement on an electrification project for the public transit system of Montreal, Canada. Nova Bus and STM signed a Memorandum of Understanding today in the presence of the Quebec Premier Pauline Marois, Olof Persson, President and CEO of the Volvo Group, and Michel Labrecque, Chairman of the STM board of directors.

The MoU formalizes the intention of testing three Nova LFSe electric buses and two charging stations in Montreal. The goal is to have the noiseless and emission-free buses operational for demonstration in the third quarter of 2015 and in regular traffic for three years, beginning in 2016. The three fully electric buses will be used in city operations in Montreal and charge rapidly at bus terminals. The energy storage system used in the vehicles is leveraging on the extensive Volvo Group knowledge and technology.

"We are proud to strengthen our partnership with Montreal and welcome the efforts of the Government of Quebec for the electrification of transit in Montreal," Persson said. "We have developed the City Mobility Program to work with governments and city authorities around the world to solve the urban transportation challenges and offer silent, emission-free and safe solutions."

Montreal will be the first city in North America to take part in the Volvo Group City Mobility program. This program brings together key players to implement sustainable and integrated innovative pilot projects. The City Mobility program includes new technologies for improving energy efficiency and reducing emissions, developed by Volvo, such as hybrid and electric vehicles.

This strategic partnership aims to make Montreal a leading city with innovative solutions for electric transit. It is in line with the Government of Quebec's Transportation Electrification Strategy for 2020 to significantly lessen its ecological print and the City of Montreal's target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent in 2020, compared to 1990 levels.

"The STM strives to become the best public transit authority in the world in its category," Labrecque said. "Our active participation in this type of demonstration project enables us to test new technologies in real operating conditions and to assess their impact on planning, operations, maintenance, and above all, the improvement of customer service. This is also our way of contributing to the greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets of the Government of Quebec and the City of Montreal."

The deployment of the City Mobility Program is in progress in several cities around the world, such as Gothenburg, Stockholm, Hamburg and Luxembourg.

"The Volvo Group has an in-depth understanding of complete transport solutions for sustainable cities, and we are pleased to share our expertise with our partners in Montreal.  Together we can build an entirely new mode of travel," Persson said.

Reporters who want more information, please contact

Karin Wik, Volvo Group, +46 76 553 1020

John Mies, Volvo Group North America, +1 336 393 4300

Nadine Bernard, Nova Bus, +1 450 974 6053

Odile Paradis, Societe de transport de Montreal, +1 514 280 5645

For more stories from the Volvo Group, please visit http://www.volvogroup.com/globalnews.

The Volvo Group is one of the world's leading manufacturers of trucks, buses, construction equipment and marine and industrial engines. The Group also provides complete solutions for financing and service. The Volvo Group, which employs about 115,000 people, has production facilities in 19 countries and sells its products in more than 190 markets. In 2012 the Volvo Group's sales amounted to about SEK 304 billion. The Volvo Group is a publicly-held company headquartered in Goteborg, Sweden. Volvo shares are listed on OMX Nordic Exchange Stockholm. For more information, please visit www.volvogroup.com or www.volvogroup.mobi if you are using your mobile phone.

SOURCE Volvo Group