Both Volvo Trucks North America and Mack Trucks now utilize hydrogenated grease (HVO) to move finished cars off the assembly line as they leave from the Volvo Trucks New River Valley Assembly Operations in Dublin, Virginia, and Mack Trucks’ Lehigh Valley Operations (LVO) in Macungie, Pennsylvania.
“The usage of HVO will assist Mack in its journey to promote the decarbonization of the transport market,” stated Jonathan Randall, president of Mack Trucks North America. “Whether it’s through using HVO, or through the advancement of Mack battery-electric automobiles (BEVs), such as the Mack LR Electric refuse and Mack MD Electric designs, Mack is devoted to decreasing its carbon footprint and attaining our sustainability objectives.”
All Mack Class 8 designs for North America and export are produced at LVO. It is approximated that by making use of HVO, LVO had the ability to minimize carbon emissions by about 18 percent. The Mack MD Series is produced at Roanoke Valley Operations (RVO) in Salem, Virginia. RVO has strategies to start using HVO this year.
All Volvo trucks for the North American market are produced at the NRV plant, consisting of the Volvo VNL which will start production later on in 2024. This effort belongs to numerous methods that will assist decarbonize Volvo Trucks’ operations. Other methods consist of boosting internal combustion engine effectiveness and drop-in sustainable fuels, scaling the Class 8 Volvo VNR Electric, and establishing hydrogen fuel cell trucks.
“Today and for the foreseeable future there will not be a one-size-fits-all method to decarbonizing transport,” stated Peter Voorhoeve, president of Volvo Trucks North America. “That is why, at Volvo Trucks, we are concentrated on the three-pillar method with battery electrical, hydrogen fuel cell, and eco-friendly fuels in the internal combustion engine. With the brand new Volvo VNL and by using HVO, we can make the most considerable and instant effect today. There is a future for the ICE and we’re delighted to be doing all factory fills with eco-friendly fuel, a crucial action towards strolling the talk in our sustainability journey.”
HVO, a sustainable fuel described as eco-friendly diesel, has the exact same chemical and physical homes as diesel fuel however with a lower carbon material. This implies that it can be utilized as a replacement fuel to assist enhance sustainability. Mack engines do not require adjustments to accommodate HVO.
HVO is produced from lipid sources, such as waste veggie oils and tallow, lowering the dependence on nonrenewable fuel sources and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It is processed utilizing hydrotreatment to attain high pureness levels, allowing HVO to be utilized, pumped, and managed essentially the exact same diesel items. By using these waste items as feedstocks, HVO production can promote a more sustainable circular economy by transforming waste into fuel.
HVO can be utilized interchangeably with petroleum diesel. Sustainable diesel at any mix approximately 100 percent (RD100) that complies with ASTM D975 or EN15940 will not negatively impact engine or aftertreatment efficiency or resilience.
Volvo Trucks is sustaining brand-new trucks leaving the NRV plant with 20 to 25 gallons of HVO per tank, with complete tanks offered trucks predestined straight to operators. This effort is anticipated to change 1,125,000 gallons of fossil-based diesel each year, attaining an approximated 75 to 85 percent decrease in CO2 emissions for Volvo Trucks’ operations in North America.
“The internal combustion engine has more than 100 years of research study and advancement and recognized assistance in the market. It should become part of the decarbonization journey and significant, instant decarbonization possibilities exist by utilizing eco-friendly fuels, consisting of HVO and hydrogen,” stated Johan Agebrand, director of item marketing at Volvo Trucks North America. “Volvo Trucks continues to deal with the market to expand using eco-friendly fuels. Fuels produced utilizing hydrotreatment procedures such as HVO and RD100 can be interchangeable with diesel and is a feasible fuel to decarbonize transport truck operators can begin utilizing today.”