LNG is best alternative to diesel, says Volvo

Liquefied natural gas is the best available climate alternative on the market for heavy regional and long-haul transport operations, according to Volvo Trucks, which is now intensifying its development of gas-powered trucks for such operations.

It argues that by replacing diesel with liquefied natural gas or biogas, CO2 emissions from heavy trucks can be drastically reduced.

In May the EU presented a regulation demanding declaration of CO2 figures from heavy vehicles as of 2019, with the aim of reducing CO2 emissions.

“This regulation will drive the development of lower emissions, where we see a clear possibility for increasing LNG market shares as a vital part of the solution,” said Lars Mårtensson, director environment and innovation.

“Our vision is that trucks from Volvo will eventually have zero emissions, although the way of achieving that is not by one single solution but rather through several solutions in parallel.”

Natural gas is a fossil fuel, but, Volvo argues that it can produce 20 per cent lower CO2 emissions than diesel. If biogas is used instead, the climate impact can be cut by up to 100 per cent.

“What is needed now is gas-powered trucks that can compete with diesel in terms of performance and fuel consumption, and continued expansion of LNG infrastructure. In both cases major progress has been achieved,” said Mårtensson.