Volvo V90 Bi-Fuel - ode to cleanliness

© VolvoA Volvo running on methane, especially renewable biogas, is the quintessential Swedish car

Swedish as it seems, the new V90 Bi-Fuel is actually meant for buyers in Belgium and Luxembourg, which is clearly indicated by the fact that it debuted at the Brussels Motor Show on January 14, 2017. The new premium wagon is underpinned by pretty much the same technology as its smaller and older siblings – the V60 and V70 Bi-Fuel.

At the heart of the vehicle lies a 4-cylinder Volvo T5 engine, good for 254 PS of power and 350 Nm of torque. The unit's performance is channeled to the front wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission. Despite the kind of punch the above figures provide, the V90 Bi-Fuel is an exceptionally environmentally friendly vehicle, in no small part thanks to the gaseous fuel it's motivated by.

Powered by fossil natural gas or renewable biomethane, the car manages 400 km of range on a single refill. The pressure tank holds 18 kg/24 m³ of fuel compressed to 200 bar. Unlike many NGVs, though, the Volvo features a full-sized petrol tank as well, offering 55 l capacity for more than just emergency use.

As far as fuel economy and emission figures are concerned, no official data was available at the moment of writing. However, we expect the V90 to beat its V70 predecessor on both fronts, so 125 g/km of CO₂ when using regular CNG and 40 g/km when driving on biogas are probably a thing of the past, with the new car even cleaner and greener. In terms of trim, the Bi-Fuel will be offered with the same options as other V90s.

The new Volvo V90 Bi-Fuel is manufactured in Volvo's Torslanda plant in Gothenburg, Sweden. The car's final assembly, during which it's equipped with the CNG system, is done in a Westport facility located on the premises. Deliveries of the new model in Belgium, priced from 58450 euros, are scheduled for May 2017.

There are currently 5400 NGVs in Belgium and the refueling network comprises 73 service stations across the country. The market develops thanks to tax breaks and incentives offered by both state authorities and gas distributors. By late 2017 we expect there to be 10 thousand NGVs and 100 stations in operation.

Didier Hendrickx, Natural Gas Vehicle Association (NGVA) Belgium