Sweden-based Volvo Trucks introduced new Euro 6-compliant heavy-duty trucks running on liquefied natural gas (LNG) or biogas.
According to a Volvo Trucks statement, the Volvo FH LNG and Volvo FM LNG trucks are able to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 20 to 100 percent.
This relates to emissions from the vehicle during usage, known as tank-to-wheel.
“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,” said Lars Mårtensson , Director Environment and Innovation at Volvo Trucks.
“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,” he added.
Volvo Trucks claims that compared with current gas-powered trucks available on the market, these new vehicles use 15 to 25 percent less fuel.
The company added it was 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, the statement noted.