Five Volvo trucks have recently started working full-time in a commercial operation in Sweden fuelled by bio dimethyl ether (bio DME). The field test will take place for two years, aiming to demonstrate the potential for large-scale investment in DME.
A number of FH trucks from Volvo will be tested with customers in different parts of Sweden. Filling stations to supply the new fuel are being built in a number of areas to supply the new trucks.
“For a new fuel to have a chance of survival, it needs production, distribution and suitably modified vehicles,” said Volvo environmental director, Lars Martensson. “Now we have all three pieces of the puzzle in place in a complete, entirely unique field test.
“From an overriding perspective, bio DME is one of the most promising second generation biofuels. It provides both high energy efficiency and extremely low emissions of greenhouse gases. These are the properties we value particularly highly when we analyse potential alternative fuels.”
When compared with diesel, DME produces 95% less carbon dioxide emissions alongside low levels of particulate matter and nitrogen oxides. DME is handled in a similar way to LPG being stored at pressure, in a specially made fuel tank, in liquid form. It can be made from natural gas or from biomass. In the case of the Volvo trucks on the trial, the DME is made from black liquor, a byproduct of the pulp industry.