Volvo expands its range of B100 biodiesel-powered trucks

Volvo Trucks announced May 16 the expansion of its model offers adapted for 100 percent biodiesel (B100).

This is yet another move in line with the company’s strategy to reduce the climate impact of its trucks, the automaker stated.

Volvo Trucks has one of the industry’s broadest ranges of renewable fuel options, including biodiesel, hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO)—also known as renewable diesel—and biogas.

B100 is now available for a wide selection of engines in the Volvo FL, FE, FM, FMX, FH and FH16 models.

“Our customers are asking for solutions to reduce their carbon emissions and renewable fuels is an attractive option—it’s simply an efficient way to reduce CO2 from transport here and now,” said Jan Hjelmgren, Volvo Trucks’ head of product management and quality.

“As a global truck maker, we need to cater to a wide variety of transport needs and market conditions, which is why we do not only invest in new technologies, but also in solutions that decarbonize transport in the short and long term,” Hjelmgren added.

The well-to-wheel CO2 reduction from using biodiesel is between 30 percent and 70 percent compared to traditional diesel fuel, according to Volvo Trucks, depending on the type of raw material used to produce the fuel.

Volvo’s current range of medium- and heavy-duty trucks are offered with powertrains that run on diesel, biodiesel, HVO, compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), bio-CNG, bio-LNG and electricity.

The combustion engine, powered by renewable fuels, is one of three pillars in Volvo Trucks’ decarbonization strategy, where the other two are battery electric and fuel-cell electric.

This strategy is supporting the company’s aim that all Volvo trucks sold should have net-zero emissions by 2040.

Volvo Trucks noted that a biodiesel-certified model also means that the Euro 6 requirements are fulfilled.

All of Volvo Trucks’ diesel engines are also certified to run on 100 percent HVO.