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Recharge Wrap-up: video touts Volvo electric buses, Nissan and BMW build EV chargers in S. Africa

Volvo is touting the advantages of electric buses in a new video. The short film, called Route 55, promotes the ElectriCity Project for public transport, and, more specifically, the new electric bus route in Gothenburg, Sweden. The new route debuts June 15 using Volvo electric and hybrid buses. In the video, two teenagers are seen waiting for the bus. As one boards, the other asks her out from the sidewalk, but she can't hear him over the noise of the diesel bus, which then closes its doors and drives away. The film asks, "What if this bus had been silent?" See the video above, and read more in the press release below. BMW and Nissan will build an EV charging network across South Africa. Through 2017, the two automakers will build fast-charging and AC stations around the country in order to encourage the adoption of EVs. Nissan has been selling the Leaf in South Africa since 2013, and BMW introduced the i3 and i8 in March. "In order for the introduction and expansion of electric vehicles as well as plug-in hybrid electric vehicles to be successful in this market, we need to work together," says BMW South Africa Managing Director Tim Abbott. Read more at Automotive News Europe. The Renault-Nissan Alliance will provide the United Nations with 200 electric vehicles for the COP21 climate conference in Paris. The fleet of vehicles includes the Nissan Leaf and e-NV200, as well as the Renault ZOE, Kangoo ZE and Fluence ZE. The entire passenger car shuttle fleet will use all-electric vehicles as some 20,000 UN attendees descend upon Paris from November 30 to December 11. "Thanks to the Alliance's fleet of 100-percent electric vehicles, it will contribute to our goal of achieving a carbon neutral event," says French Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development and COP21 President Laurent Fabius. "The technology of electric vehicles helps reduce greenhouse gases in the transportation sector efficiently." Read more from Renault. Visa will be the official title sponsor of the Formula E London ePrix. Officially called the "2015 FIA Formula E Visa London ePrix," the races on June 27 and 28 will be the last of the electric racing series's inaugural season. Visa Europe will award the Visa Fastest Lap trophy after the each round, and will have interactive activities at the race's eVillage.

Volvo recalls another 195,000 vehicles for airbags after a death

Volvo has recalled 194,546 vehicles built between 2001 and 2007 due to airbag inflators that "may explode during deployment, due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling." The vehicles included in this recall are V70 and XC70 models that were built from Feb. 22, 2000 through May 4, 2007, but similar recalls have included other Volvo models for the same issue. In total, Volvo has recalled more than half a million vehicles worldwide to replace faulty inflators. To find out if your vehicle has been recalled in the United States, visit the official site of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Owners can also contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. The number for this particular recall is R10136. According to the recall notice, Volvo is aware of one incident in which an inflator ruptured, killing the driver. While these airbag recalls may sound familiar due to the massive number of inflators that were made by Takata and were recalled and replaced, the inflators used by Volvo were manufactured by supplier ZF/TRW. Takata's faulty airbag inflators have been blamed for at least 19 deaths in the United States and 28 worldwide, along with more than 400 injuries in the U.S. alone. Volvo will replace the driver-side airbag of affected vehicles at no charge "with a modern state-of-the-art propellant/inflator." Owners of affected vehicles should expect to receive a notice in the mail after December 14, 2021. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Volvo opens order books for XC90 First Edition

The new Volvo XC90 breaks new ground in any number of ways. It's based on a new modular platform, packs new engines, introduces a new design language and incorporates a whole slew of new safety systems. Even in its sales approach, it takes Volvo into new territory.
In what Volvo calls an industry first, the first 1,927 examples of the new XC90 will be sold online. Those First Edition models, whose production numbers honor the year of the company's founding, will come fully equipped in T6 AWD guise with the twin-charged (but not hybrid) 316-horsepower engine, air suspension, Bowers & Wilkins audio system and 21-inch Inscription alloys, decked out in black with a tan Nappa leather interior, all for $65,900.
As you can see from the online store, ordering has officially begun. Get one while they're hot.