Volvo Buses is redefining sustainability in public transportation with the launch of Luminus, a fully electric city bus engineered from the ground up with a circular approach. By prioritising recyclability, responsible manufacturing, and second-life battery use, Volvo is setting a new benchmark for the future of electromobility.
“Circularity isn’t something you add on later,” says Per Olson, Vice President Platform Development at Volvo Buses. “It’s embedded from the start of product development.” The Luminus project reflects this commitment, with an impressive 90% recyclability rate for its BZL-based chassis and 60% for the bus body.
From Materials to Manufacturing – Sustainability at Every Stage
The design of Luminus involved deep collaboration between Volvo’s product development, purchasing, operations, and marketing teams to ensure a sustainability-first approach. Material choices, technological integrations, and business models were all aligned to maximise environmental responsibility.
One of the first customers of Luminus is OMA, the airport operator in Monterrey, Mexico. Raful Zacarías, Airport Administrator, says, “We don’t see this product as just a bus, but as a contribution to environmental care.”
Second Life for Batteries and a Cleaner Production Footprint
True to Volvo’s vision of a circular lifecycle, Luminus batteries are designed for a purposeful second life. After their use in the bus, the batteries will be repurposed as energy storage systems at the Tultitlán production facility in Mexico, reducing reliance on conventional energy sources.
This production site itself exemplifies Volvo’s circular ethos — operating on renewable energy and efficiency measures, it has reduced its carbon footprint by more than 60% since early 2024.
Volvo Buses is targeting a 50% reduction in operational emissions and a 40% reduction in vehicle emissions per kilometre by 2030. Luminus is a clear step toward achieving these ambitious climate goals.
As cities worldwide aim for greener public transport systems, Volvo’s circular innovations offer a scalable model. Luminus is not just a new bus—it’s a symbol of how sustainable design, advanced engineering, and environmental responsibility can converge to create impactful urban mobility solutions.
