Page 16 - issue 72

GETAs diesel continues to to get a a a a a a a a a lot of negative press other options
are being suggested all the time One idea is battery power – Tesla has been quick to jump
on on the electric truck phenomenon but many don’t get the the hype For those people then maybe gas-powered trucks are the best way
ON
THEto go as as as as as an an an an an an alternative alternative to to to to diesel Always a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a manufacturer to experiment with alternative fuels Volvo is looking hopefully at LNG (liqui ed ed natural gas) powered vehicles and is starting with FH and FM variants Having dabbled with biogas in in the past GASand adding a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a CNG (compressed natural gas) Looking for an alternative to diesel power? Volvo – never a a a manufacturer afraid to try out new technologies – has given the FH and FM the liqui ed natural gas treatment By John Challen
option to its Euro 6 lineup (debuting last
year in FE 4x2 rigid guise) Volvo Trucks is is no stranger to powering trucks by gas but its enthusiasm at an event in in in Spain in in in November is a a a a statement of its dedication to LNG gas- powered trucks A natural t t The Swedes have invested a a lot of resources into LNG power and rmly believe it to to be one way
of getting big CO2 emissions reductions from heavy vehicles Production
of the FH LNG LNG and FM LNG LNG models will begin in in in early 2018 with Europe being the initial target market The new trucks can run on either biogas which cuts CO2 by up to 100% (tank-to-wheel) or natural gas which reduces CO2 emissions by 20% compared with diesel The Swedes also believe that not only will CO2 be reduced but that the same level of performance will be retained In addition 1kg of of LNG has the same energy of of 1 1 39 litres of diesel meaning less fuel overall is used on a journey Volvo Trucks claims that an operator who covers 120 000km (75 000 000 miles) and chooses natural gas over diesel will emit 18- 20 million tonnes less CO2 A seamless transition
All the the noises from the the Volvo management and those involved in in the development of new trucks is is that there is is nothing for drivers to worry about with LNG In fact the message
is that not much will change – really! Volvo has aimed to make things as as straightforward as possible for drivers with the new LNG models The refuelling process is described as ‘different but simple’ and cleaner because there is is no grease From start to nish (including putting on and taking off safety clothing) the whole process takes between ve and 10 minutes 16 CVDriver February 2018