Although European cities have a lot of the latest trends in urban mobility, there aren't many hybrid buses on their streets. Volvo thinks that this could be a good moment to introduce hybrid buses, and has recently introduced the 7700 model. Claimed to reduce fuel consumption by 30 percent, Volvo says the bus will pays for itself in 5 to 7 years. It produces 30 percent less CO₂ and 40 to 50 percent fewer particles and nitrogen oxides. Called I-SAM, the hybrid transmission is based on current I-Shift gearboxes mated to a lithium-ion battery that gets recharged by the engine or regenerative braking energy. Such is the power of the electric motor that the 7700 can use a 5-liter diesel engine instead of the standard 9-liters. The engine shuts down when the bus stops and the electric motor can move the bus until it reaches 15 to 20 km/h (10-13 mph), when the diesel engine kicks in. First deliveries are scheduled for 2010. Full press release after the jump.

[Source: Volvo]