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Childhood passions and fascinations generally diminish for many as they grow up, but for few others they have become goals to achieve in life, Biswajit Baruah, Son of Late Dilip Kumar Baruah and Rekha Baruah, a native of Guwahati, Assam has a similar story. A native Assamese staying at Belagavi, Karnataka is an inspired Bus Entrepreneur, Enthusiast, Journalist and a Amateur CV-Photographer.

Buses have been a childhood passion for Biswajit. A product of KLS Gogte Institute of Technology, Belagavi - Biswajit is the founder and CEO of Hive Sustainable Solutions, a Belagavi based start up company, which deals with providing sustainable solutions of bus fleet operations and bus industry as a whole, in India. Biswajit has worked previously as a 'Mentor and Director' of a Bengaluru based start-up 'Bus-Bucket' and its sister concern 'Ozobus' , before starting his own venture - 'Hive' at Belagavi. Biswajit has expertise in Automobile and Bus Journalism. His initial start up initiative of Blog Writing through his Bus Blog took him to work as a freelance 'Consulting Editor' to India's premium Commercial Vehicle Magazine - 'Motor India'. He is also a guest writer for Belagavi's premiere news and current affairs website - 'All About Belgaum'.

Biswajit started his passion as an amateur Bus Photographer and till date have captured more than 100,000 pictures of buses. He is fond of gaining and sharing technical knowledge about mechanics and electronics which drive buses. He also likes heavy commercial vehicles like trucks, excavators, cranes etc. Biswajit visits expos and exhibitions Pan India to meet people from the bus and CV Industry and to learn about products and latest technologies. His Blog and his facebook page - 'Biswajit - SVM Chaser' is followed by many top bus companies and OEMs for insights and feedback. Biswajit is well known amongst the bus fleet operators in India and is well recognized by the top operators like VRL Travels, SRS Travels and KSRTC in Karnataka, for his views and insights regarding sustainable bus fleet operations and services.

With a Pan-India approach, Biswajit stresses on the required effort for sustainable bus transport in India. He believes that Passenger Service and the Bus Crew Category is the most sought area, which needs urgent attention to bring streamline development in bus services across the country. He is currently working in the fields of Smart Mobility, Bus Codes, Inter-Modal Transport, Sustainable Transport, Biofuel Drivelines, Zero Carbon footprint initiatives, ITS (Intelligent Transport Systems), MaaS (Mobility as a Service), Big Data, PPP (Public Private Partnership), Smart Ticketing, Contactless Payments, Electric Drivelines, Smart City Initiatives, Passenger Safety and Security, Digital Solutions for Vehicle Maintenance and Monitoring.

Biswajit have been highlighted by various print and digital media in the country for his passion for buses, which includes - 'The New Indian Express', 'Times Of India', 'All About Belgaum', 'Scania India Blog', 'Vijayavani Karnataka (VRL Media)', 'Darshan Belgaum', and 'Vijay Karnataka'. He was felicitated by Rotary Club of Dharwad Central, Karnataka for his outstanding contribution to the Bus Industry especially in the areas of sustainable transport solutions. Biswajit, won the Indian Achiever's Award for the 'Promising Start Up' Category in 2022, adding another achievement to his tally.

Apart from India, Biswajit is followed by and contacted by top bus experts from European countries like Sweden, Germany, Belgium, Norway, Finland and Asian Countries like Bangladesh, China, Nepal and Indonesia. With a zeal for his passion for buses and commercial vehicle industry, Biswajit have dared to dream big on his entrepreneur ventures to develop Indian Bus Industry, encompassing whole of India.
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NMMT VOLVO 8400 Hybrid - Revolutionizing City Bus Services In India

1:18:00 AM Biswajit SVM Chaser 0 Comments

The first hybrid buses in India were delivered to NMMT (Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport) at Thane in February 2016., at the "Make In India" Week in Mumbai. The occasion became historic, as the Prime Minister of Sweden, Stefan Lofven handed over the symbolic keys of the bus to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis in the presence of Senior Vice President, Akash Passey and VRV Prasad, business head for India and South Asia. 


NMMT VOLVO 8400 HYBRID SLF COACH

The VOLVO 8400 City Buses are certified by the Automotive Research Of India (ARAI) and fall under the government's Faster Adoption & Manufacturing of Electric and Hybrid Vehicle (FAME) scheme. The hybrid buses are a variant of the existing 8400 series bus nearly 1500 units of which are plying in 34 cities in India currently.


Technically Sound and Sustainable

The new VOLVO 8400 Hybrid City Bus has a parallel hybrid system, which comprises a 5 litre, 4 cylinder, In-Line diesel engine and an electric motor, which generates 160 HP of power. The vehicle, which starts via diesel, is propelled on electric mode till it gains momentum. It will run on electric mode until speed of 20 kmph, after which it switches to diesel mode. The phenomenon happens at every stop and start during the operation cycle, which results in significant fuel savings and reduction of emissions. The batteries get charged during operations by the regenerative brake system, thus making the buses ideal for city traffic. "The Lithium ion-powered battery charge has to be normalized or balance for every ride. The energy from regenerative brake system is utilized again in the bus, similar to a dynamo, powering air-condition and the automatic doors of the bus", as told by Arun Uchila, Product Manager, VOLVO Buses India. 

NMMT VOLVO 8400 HYBRID SLF COACH

One of the biggest benefits of the hybrid technology is the reduction in noise levels, both inside and outside the bus. this has direct impact on the overall experience for passengers with lower NVH levels. The vehicle also has the VOLVO I-Coaching, a one of its kind on board driver training driver training system that ensures the best performance from hybrid systems. The telematics system with fleet and vehicles management capabilities monitors and generates fuel reports, vehicle health reports, battery usage and health monitoring finance. The Bus meets the Bus Body Code and Urban Bus Specification norms. It is equipped with safety features including two fire extinguishers, hammers, Internal stop request and Emergency stop request Switches, External electric and pneumatic door operating switches and fire suppression system in the engine and hatch area. 

NMMT VOLVO 8400 HYBRID SLF COACH

Retailed Specification of the VOLVO 8400 Hybrid Bus

Length : 12.0 m
Height : 3.4 m
Width : 2.51 m
Wheelbase : 5.94 m
Gross Vehicle Weight : 16,200 Kg
Suspension : ECAS
Brakes : EBS disc brakes
Number of Doors : 2
Hybrid System : Parallel Hybrid VOLVO I-SAM
Diesel Engine : VOLVO D5F, 4 Cylinder, In-Line
Transmission : I-Shift, Automatic Gearshifting System, 12 Speed Splitter / Range Gearbox
Max Output : 215 HP (160 KW)
Max Torque : 800 Nm @ 1200 - 700 rpm
Max Motor Power : 160 HP
Max Motor Torque : 800 Nm
Number of Cylinders : 4
Bore : 110 mm
Stroke : 135 mm
Displacement : 5.1 cubic dm
Compression : 17:5:1

Pics of Interior of the Coach 

NMMT VOLVO 8400 HYBRID SLF COACH
NMMT VOLVO 8400 HYBRID SLF COACH
NMMT VOLVO 8400 HYBRID SLF COACH

VOLVO Hybrid technology World-Wide 

VOLVO Buses is the first bus manufacturer to bring the Hybrid Technology in India. With the need of sustainable transport increasing, because of threatening levels of green house gases and spreading Carbon footprint in the country, VOLVO's step forward in this regard is highly appreciable. VOLVO is the pioneer in the electromobility programme globally that includes electric hybrid, plug in electric hybrid, and full electric buses for city commute applications. According to a press release in 2010, PostBus Switzerland tested a Hybrid Bus for four months in summer as a part of a pilot project. During this time, its fuel consumption was measured and compared to that of a traditional Bus. The results were recorded to be positive - diesel consumption was less by 30%.

With NMMT taking the lead to introduce Hybrid VOLVO Buses for Mumbai, India can look forward to have more expansion in hybrid bus fleet not only in Tier 1 cities like Mumbai and Delhi  but also to Tier 2 cities  like Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Bangalore etc, in the long run. With a step ahead to Indian Government's sustainable transport policies , Hybrid Bus technology looks like a ray of hope towards cleaner and healthier environment for our metros and future generations. 

NMMT VOLVO 8400 HYBRID SLF COACH

Acknowledgements  : 

Motor India, Auto Carpo, VOLVO Hybrid Bus - Future of Electromobility - Edward Jobson, Kunal Jadhav (Bus Enthusiast, Mumbai, India)

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