Trucks
Trucks
Demand for gas-powered trucks is rising, with transport companies seeing them as a convenient solution for CO2 footprint reduction without compromising productivity and drivability. But are all gas-powered trucks the same – or are there differences in the technologies used?
Globally, the automotive and transport industries are under increasing pressure to reduce CO2 emissions, driven by stakeholders such as customers and policy makers. In response, Volvo Trucks is working on a wide range of technologies, such as hydrogen and battery electric. Then there are gas-powered trucks, which are growing in demand as they provide a viable alternative for those looking for a way to reduce their carbon footprint immediately. With the right technology, they can offer similar performances to diesel trucks.
Most gas-powered trucks on the market are based on the Otto-cycle engine, which essentially is a spark-ignited petrol engine. The technology is already used widely in passenger cars. However, in trucks, due to the engine’s lower compression ratio, it has limitations when it comes to the delivery of power and torque: both of which are essential when carrying heavy loads and driving uphill.
An alternative route – and one chosen by Volvo Trucks – is to use a common diesel engine as a base and adapt it to gas. Here, a key element is the HPDI (high pressure direct injection*), a technology where a small amount of ignition fuel is injected with high pressure to enable compression ignition before the gas is added. With this technology it is possible to achieve a high compression ratio which results in higher energy efficiency with lower fuel consumption, and increased engine power. This enables the performance to be on par with a diesel truck, so Volvo’s gas-powered trucks can handle heavy loads and hilly landscapes while maintaining speed.
Gas-powered trucks are a real win-win for transport companies as they can combine a low total cost of ownership with a reduced carbon footprint while maintaining productivity.
There is a range of different gas fuels to choose from. However, most companies choose gas-powered trucks that are adapted for LNG (liquified natural gas). Such trucks can run on either regular LNG or bio-LNG, also known as biogas, biomethane or renewable gas (RNG). Regular LNG fuel alone can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 20% compared to diesel. However, bio-LNG is a non-fossil gas produced from organic waste and offers a cost-efficient way to virtually eliminate CO2 emissions, especially in markets with tax incentives and government subsidies for renewable fuels.
The good thing about gas-powered trucks is that there’s no difference in how they use regular LNG or bio-LNG. They can switch seamlessly between the two fuel types – or even blend them together. Many companies are already choosing to replace their diesel trucks with gas-power as a way of reducing their CO2 emissions here and now. It’s a real win-win for transport companies as they can combine a low total cost of ownership with a reduced carbon footprint while maintaining productivity.
Learn more about Volvo Trucks’ gas-powered range.
* The HPDI system is supplied by technology provider Cespira: www.cespira.com
