Volvo's Technology Award presented to team behind fuel-efficient hybrid solution

Volvo's Technology Award presented to team behind fuel-efficient hybrid solution

Six engineers have been named the winners of Volvo's 2009 Technology Award for
their development of the world's first commercially viable hybrid solution for
heavy vehicles. The award was presented by Leif Johansson, President and CEO of
Volvo, at the Annual General Meeting of AB Volvo on April 1.

Volvo's Technology Award this year recognizes the work to develop I-SAM,
Integrated Starter Alternator Motor, a combined starter, generator and drive
motor in a parallel hybrid that, in addition to an electric motor, also has a
small compact diesel engine. The combination can reduce fuel consumption for
buses by up to 30%, for trucks by 20% and, in a best case scenario, as much as
50% for wheel loaders. This reduces fuel costs and provides significant
environmental benefits through lower emissions of carbon dioxide. The quiet and
emission-free electric drive also improves environment conditions in the
vehicle's immediate surroundings.
I-SAM was presented in March 2006 as the market's first parallel hybrid concept
for buses and heavy trucks. The solution can be used in virtually all Volvo
Group business areas, since it is based on a common platform with a high
percentage of standard components, which also facilitates volume production.
“In the future, the parallel hybrid will not be considered a special solution,
and the technology will be included in almost all new city buses and delivery
trucks. We see good potential to develop the hybrid technology for all segments
of the heavy trucks sector. With its leadership position in the environmental
area and its stature as one of the world's largest producers of commercial
vehicles, it is only natural for Volvo Group to drive the development of
tomorrow's transports,” says Leif Johansson, President and CEO of Volvo Group.
The parallel hybrid concept is an excellent feature for city buses, refuse
trucks and delivery trucks that drive at different speeds and start and stop
frequently. When a hybrid bus drives away from a bus stop, the electric motor is
used first, a quiet-running unit with no emissions, and the diesel engine starts
up when the bus reaches a certain speed. When the bus brakes to stop at the next
stop, the braking energy is absorbed by the electric motor and stored in the
batteries - to be used later during the next acceleration. Everything is
controlled by a sophisticated control unit, which was also developed by Volvo
Group engineers.
Engineers from many parts of the Volvo Group have taken part in the development
of I-SAM. Six of these engineers were represented at the prize ceremony. Volvo
Powertrain was represented by Anders Kroon, Volvo Technology by Jerker Lennevi,
Joakim Lindström and Lars Carlhammar, Volvo Buses was represented by Peter
Jönsson and Volvo 3P was represented by Christer Ehn.
The Volvo Technology Award was established in 1988 and was awarded this year for
the 22nd time. The award is an expression of appreciation for particularly
prominent technical achievements within the Volvo Group that contribute to the
technological profiling of the Volvo Group and stimulate efforts that further
advance the Group's technical skills and expertise.
Read more about Volvo Technology Award at VolvoGroup.com
http://www.volvo.com/group/global/en-gb/volvo+group/researchandtechnology/techno
logy_award/2009/2009.htm

April 1, 2009

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pursuant to the Securities Markets Act. The information was submitted for
publication at 15.00 p.m. CET, April 1, 2009.

The Volvo Group is one of the world's leading manufacturers of trucks, buses and
construction equipment, drive systems for marine and industrial applications,
aerospace components and services. The Group also provides complete solutions
for financing and service. The Volvo Group, which employs about 100,000 people,
has production facilities in 19 countries and sells their products in more than
180 markets. Annual sales of the Volvo Group amount to about SEK 300 billion.
The Volvo Group is a publicly-held company headquartered in Göteborg, Sweden.
Volvo shares are listed on OMX Nordic Exchange Stockholm. Please visit
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