After extensive field testing of the renewable diesel HVO, Volvo Trucks has approved the fuel for all Euro 5 engines and are preparing certifications for Euro 6. The HVO acts as regular diesel and reduces CO2 emissions between 30 and 90 per cent.
In 2013, Volvo Trucks started a field test together with Renova, DHL Freight and OKQ8 to see how the use of 100 per cent HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oils) affected engine performance and components. The six field test trucks were equipped with Euro 5 engines and covered approximately one million kilometres in commercial service over a two-year period.
“The field test showed that the HVO works very well in our engines and can be used under the same conditions as regular diesel. It is also possible to freely mix diesel and HVO,” says Mr. Tobias Bergman, Product Manager for alternative fuels and hybrids at Volvo Trucks. The positive results from the field test mean that Volvo Trucks has now approved the use of HVO in all its Euro 5 engines with unchanged service intervals. In September 2015, there will be a global certification (WVTA) of HVO in the D5 and D8 engines for Euro 6. In parallel, work is underway to certify the engine variants D11, D13 and D16. “The fuel is suitable for all customers who want to reduce their CO2 emissions and we see no restrictions regarding the type of transport or business. Combining HVO with the low emissions of our Euro 6 engines will allow the environmental impacts of the trucks to be minimised,” says Mr. Bergman. HVO is produced from renewable raw materials such as vegetable and animal fats, from rapeseed oil or abattoir waste, for example. The fuel can be distributed via existing diesel depots and uses the same type of tanks and pumps as regular diesel. HVO reduces CO2 emissions between 30 and 90 per cent, depending on the raw material. “We believe in HVO’s potential and see an increasing interest from both customers and transport buyers. The major challenge is the availability of raw materials and refineries.
We therefore hope that our investment in fuel will contribute to increased demand and that the HVO can be used in many other parts of the world in future,” says Lars Mårtensson, Director Environment and Innovation at Volvo Trucks.
FACTS:
Euro 6 approval: Volvo Trucks approve its engines under the future standard Paraffenic fuels EN15940 which, in addition to the HVO, include for example pine oil diesel fuel and Gas to Liquid (GtL).
Volvo Trucks and alternative fuels: Volvo Trucks are widely involved in developing solutions for alternative fuels and hybrids. They carry out this work in order to reduce the overall impact on the environment and to work for the vision of sustainable transportation.