Volvo's new LNG trucks are here

Compared to diesel-powered equivalents, the new LNG-fueled FH and FM trucks reduce carbox dioxide (CO₂) emissions by 20 to 100% (depending on what kind of methane they run on – fossil natural gas or renewable biogas, respectively). The vehicles are available with 420 and 460 PS engines, offering enough power and torque for the needs of regional and long-distance road transport.

Thanks to our new trucks powered with liquefied natural gas or biomethane we can offer a climate-friendly alternative to diesel. The vehicles meet all requirements in terms of performance, fuel economy and driving range, just as our customers in the transport sector expect them to.

Lars Mårtensson, environment and innovation manager, Volvo Trucks

© Volvo TrucksDrivers accustomed to diesel-powered trucks won't notice a difference in performance

Unlike other manufacturers, Volvo uses compression-ignition gas engines, i.e. methane-powered Diesel units, even though the majority of methane engines on the market today are petrol-like, featuring spark ignition. This means the Volvo solution is in fact a dual-fuel system, with small portions of diesel fuel used to initiate ignition of the air-fuel mixture. Thanks to this Volvo FH LNG and FM LNG offer the same performance figures as diesel-only counterparts (420 PS/2100 Nm and 460 PS/2300 Nm) and can run on diesel only should need arise.

Importantly, fuel economy figures are the same as with comparable diesel-only vehicles, i.e. by 15 to 25% lower than in trucks featuring spark-ignition methane engines. As far as emissions are concerned, the best results are provided by a combination of bio-LNG (liquefied renewable biogas) and HVO (Hydrogenated Vegetable Oils) renewable diesel fuel. If they're both used, the trucks are practically carbon-neutral, but even with fossil natural gas and regular diesel there's a respectable reduction of 20%.

LNG is stored in cryogenic tanks at a temperature of -140 to -125° C and a pressure of 4-10 bar. Range on a single refueling depends on tank configuration, but can be up to 1000 km. Refueling with liquefied methane takes comparable amount of time as with regular diesel fuel. Volvo collaborates with gas providers across Europe to boost development of LNG refueling infrastructure across the continent. Sales and deliveries are scheduled to commence in early 2018.