Volvo Trucks Pioneers Renewable Diesel Technology with Long-haul Trucks Equipped with HVO Tanks

Volvo Trucks North America has announced that they are now shipping hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) capable freight trucks. These trucks are equipped with tanks that can hold up to 25 gallons of the plant-based fuel, and the company expects to purchase over 1 million gallons from their supplier. HVO is considered a renewable diesel by the U.S. Department of Energy, emitting lower levels of harmful compounds compared to petroleum-based diesel when burned in an internal combustion engine.

In a statement released on April 24th, Volvo President Peter Voorhoeve discussed the various ways for “decarbonizing transportation.” He mentioned that with the availability of internal combustion engines running on renewable diesel, alongside electric trucks and upcoming hydrogen fuel cell trucks, there are multiple options to reduce the environmental impact of transportation.

The Dublin facility, which employs 3,600 workers dedicated to building all Volvo trucks for North America, is currently in the process of completing a $400 million factory for the production of truck cabs. These cabs will be used in a revised version of Volvo’s long-haul truck, the VNL, set to be released later this year. The company sees this as a significant step towards increasing their sustainability efforts and reducing emissions from their trucks.