Interview: Håkan Agnevall, President, Volvo Buses

The future of city transport is being tackled by the automotive industry from all directions. OEMs are looking to develop low- or no-emissions vehicles that are suited for the stop-start nature of city traffic, while suppliers are in competition to provide the latest generation of clean technologies. Connectivity is another big area of development, as urban residents become increasingly reliant on seamlessly connectivity while travelling. In the long run, the rise of autonomous driving could further alleviate issues like congestion and air quality.

These trends are not exclusive to the passenger vehicle market, but can also be seen in commercial vehicles (CVs). The bus segment is a prime example, as OEMs like Volvo Buses, Scania, Daimler, VDL, MAN and Renault have shown dedication in developing electrified and increasingly connected products. Some have also made early investments to develop autonomous buses, which are primarily targeted at city operation.

Speaking to Automotive World, Håkan Agnevall, President, Volvo Buses, discussed his expectations for the future of the bus segment. He referred to city operation as playing an integral role in the on-going evolution of the bus.