First launched in 2021 for the United Kingdom and Ireland markets, featuring both double-decker and single-decker bodies built by MCV Bus & Coach, the BZL chassis range features CO2heat pump-powered heating and ventilation, and is claimed to be 90% recyclable. It is also built to a high safety standard with multiple new safety innovations such as sealed battery compartments and a strengthened front frame.[4][5][2]
The first 25 Volvo BZLs for the United Kingdom began to be delivered to Stagecoach West Scotland for use in Ayrshire in February 2023.[6] The first MCV double-deck bodied BZLs followed in May 2023, with 30 entering service with Stagecoach East in Cambridge for use on the city's park and ride system.[7][8] In what would have been the largest zero-emissions bus order by the Stagecoach Group to date, Stagecoach Manchester' Stockport depot was to take delivery of 150 double-deck and 20 single-deck BZLs for franchised Bee Network bus services,[9] however severe delays relating to the construction of a new Stockport depot saw the fleet's delivery reallocated to Stagecoach's Middleton and Metroline Manchester's Ashton and Hyde Road depots; a further twelve single-deck BZLs have since been ordered by an unspecified Bee Network operator.[10]
In London, Metroline was the first Transport for London operator to order Volvo BZLs, ordering 48 MCV-bodied single-deck BZLs in November 2022,[11] the first 14 of which entered service on route 251 from January 2024.[12] Metroline are also scheduled to take delivery of a further 28 BZL single-decks for use on routes 228 and 316 during the first quarter of 2024.[13]Stagecoach London followed with an order for 19 single-deck BZLs, which entered service on route 276,[14] following with a further order of 16 single-decks for route 314 and 45 double decks for routes 58, 277 and D7.[citation needed]Arriva London announced in July 2024 that it plans to take delivery of 51 double-deck BZLs for use on routes 243 and 341 from early 2025.[15]
As of January 2024, 47 Volvo BZLs with Volgren bodies were in service across Australia.[23] The BZL for the Australia and New Zealand market, bodied exclusively by Volgren, was unveiled in October 2021 at Volvo's Australian headquarters in Brisbane,[24][25] with the first four BZLs entering service with Transperth on the JoondalupPerth Central Area Transit (CAT) service in February and March 2022.[26][27] The first of a further 18 for Transperth was delivered in August 2024 for use on a wider range of the CAT services.[28]
Tower Transit SC Neustar City bodied Volvo BZL in Singapore
In Singapore, a Volvo BZL with a three-door SC Neustar City body, unveiled in November 2022 and developed in joint partnership between Volvo and local bus and coach bodywork manufacturer SC Auto, entered service on a one-year trial with Tower Transit Singapore from 26 March 2023.[36] In Malaysia, the Volvo BZL-GML Eco Range was launched in partnership with Gemilang Coachworks, with a trial on Rapid Bus services planned. This was the first locally built electric low-floor bus in Malaysia.[37]
In Colombia, a Volvo BZL built with Marcopolo bodywork was unveiled at a tech expo in the capital Bogotá in June 2023 for use on the city's TransMileniobus rapid transit (BRT) system, the first bus from a European manufacturer to be delivered to the country; this BZL began trial operations in Curitiba in Brazil, with further trials in the cities of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Santiago de Chile to follow.[38][39][40] Volvo later launched the step entrance and low entryBZR bus and coach chassis range in March 2024, featuring variants tailored closer to the Latin American bus market that use similar battery electric technology to both the BZL and its electric Volvo FH trucks.[41]
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