This validation operation is to start in the city of Curitiba, the city of Volvo’s Latin America headquarters and where the chassis is being manufactured.

Already in production since late 2023 for delivery to São Paulo, the eO500U is designed, developed and built at the company’s facilities in ABC Paulista, São Caetano do Sul.

The zero-emissions “Erga EV” was first unveiled at the Japan Mobility Show last October.

Bus and coach domestic sales (>7.5t gvw) in FY2023 (ending March 31, 2024) increased by 38.4% to 53,136 units.

Models include LNG and BEV tippers and tractors.

Domestic sales of buses and coach (7.5t gvw and above) increased by 39.6% in Q4 of the financial year 2023 (ending March 31, 2024) to register 20,048 units.

The ELON 3X BEV, a 3-axle, high floor intercity 13-metre electric coach is to undergo rigorous validation and testing processes in preparation for full certification.

The operator will reportedly take an initial delivery of 11 vehicles at the end of this year for deployment in the city, while the remaining 35 will follow in 2025 for use in the local Spree-Neiße district.

Of the firm order for 80 buses, 32 will be fitted with another set of doors on the other side of the vehicle, allowing for dual-side boarding.

The total value of the orders, including 10-year service contracts, amounts to EUR200m, making it one of the largest in the company’s history, according to Solaris.

The contract for 15 buses is worth over EUR10m and includes the provision of 15 stationary chargers at the depot and two pantograph stations located in the city.

“The supply to Expresso Nordeste confirms the brand's growth potential," said Danilo Fetzner, director of IVECO BUS for Latin America.