Sweden-headed truck manufacturer Volvo Trucks, a subsidiary of Volvo Group, is introducing Euro 6-compliant heavy-duty trucks running on liquefied natural gas (LNG) or biomethane. The trucks can cut carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 20 to 100 percent compared to fossil diesel alternatives.
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With a firm focus on “new, energy-efficient technology” for gas-powered vehicles, Volvo Trucks says it is making it possible to significantly reduce the climate impact of heavy regional and long-haul transport operations.
We regard LNG, liquefied natural gas, as a long-term first choice alternative to diesel, both for regional and long-haul truck operations where fuel efficiency, payload and productivity are crucial. With a higher proportion of biogas, climate impact can be reduced far more. For transport operations in urban environments, where range is not as critical, electrified vehicles will play a greater role in the future. Our vision is that trucks from Volvo will eventually have zero emissions, although the way of achieving that is not by one single solution but through several solutions in parallel. LNG is one of them, said Lars Mårtensson, Director Environment and Innovation at Volvo Trucks.
The new trucks, Volvo FH LNG and Volvo FM LNG, can run on either biomethane, which cuts CO2 by up to 100 percent, or fossil gas which reduces CO2 emissions by 20 percent compared with diesel. This relates to emissions from the vehicle during usage, known as tank-to-wheel.
Less gas consumption
Compared with current gas-powered trucks available on the market, Volvo Trucks says that its new vehicles use 15 to 25 percent less fuel. LNG gives the trucks the greatest possible operating range.
Our new trucks running on liquefied natural gas or biogas produce a far smaller climate footprint than diesel trucks do. In addition, they are much more fuel-efficient than the gas-powered trucks available on the market today. This makes gas more viable as a replacement for diesel even for heavy long-haul operations, said Mats Franzén, Product Manager Engines at Volvo Trucks.
Volvo Trucks is now working together with gas suppliers and customers to develop the expansion of LNG infrastructure in Europe. This development is also being supported politically in many countries and by the EU.
A strategy for expanding LNG infrastructure is also included in the European Commission and member states’ action packages for securing Europe’s long-term energy supply.
