The future of internal combustion truck engines in Australia is renewable fuels according to Volvo Group Australia.
From December 2024, all Volvo and Mack trucks built at the group’s Wacol factory in Queensland will be filled with Hydro Treated Vegetable Oil (HVO) instead of diesel fuel.
In a statement issued today Volvo Group Australia said the recent recognition of HVO100 as a fuel on the Australian market had allowed it to speed up its adoption of the renewable fuel as a part of the local manufacturing process.
“While HVO is not strictly a zero emissions fuel, it is a fossil free alternative that reduces well to wheel emissions by up to 90 per cent, which makes a significant step forward in reducing our environmental impact,” said Martin Merrick, President and CEO, Volvo Group Australia.
“We will continue to take steps to cut our emissions and meet our decarbonisation targets by thinking globally whilst acting locally.”
Volvo Trucks first adopted the HVO first fill program at its Tuve, Sweden factory in 2022, however, this Australian announcement represents the first time a multi-branded Volvo Group manufacturing facility has implemented this approach with fossil free fuels.
HVO100 is a renewable and sustainable synthetic fuel made from vetted waste vegetable oils and animal fats.
It has low carbon footprint, zero sulphur, and can be used in Volvo Group engines without any modifications.
HVO100 can be used as a standalone fuel or blended with diesel without impacting service intervals or engine components.
Volvo Group has adopted what it calls “science-based emissions targets”, as a result the group is targeting net zero value chain emissions by 2040 to allow it to meet net-zero targets by 2050.
Volvo Group recently signed a 12-month agreement with Ampol to supply HVO100 to its fleet of trucks built at the Wacol QLD factory.
“Incorporating HVO100 into our manufacturing process is just one part of our multi-pronged approach to decarbonisation,” said Merrick.
“We’ve been very clear that the future of fossil free transport here in Australia will still utilise the internal combustion engine, however the fuel that the engine consumes will no doubt continue to evolve as we move to a fossil free future.”
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