Volvo Trucks has announced its latest innovation in alternative fuelled engines for the North American market.
LNG - the fuel of the future? Image: Volvo Trucks |
The truck division of the Swedish-based automaker revealed details of its 13-litre, liquified natural gas (LNG) heavy-duty truck engine, designed specifically for North America. This completes Volvo's natural-gas engine portfolio and sits alongside its compressed natural gas (CNG) unit.
The company plans to offer the engine as part of its range from 2014 and has made the commitment despite short-term concerns over access to LNG fuel. The unit uses high pressure diesel ignition to spark the gas and is claimed to deliver 30% improvements in fuel efficiency along with a 20% reduction in emissions.
The 13-litre unit has been selected, as Volvo is the largest selling supplier of this size of unit across the US and Canada. Under the title of 'Blue Power', the units will be added to the 12-litre VNL compressed gas engine as part of the new generation of Volvo powertrains.
The company is also testing dimethyl ether (DME) as another alternative fuel source and long-term field tests have shown encouraging results according to Volvo.