12 things Volvo is already doing to benefit the environment
Global climate is not an issue for the future – it’s a problem right now. That is why Volvo Trucks is already deeply involved in tackling the environmental issue in a variety of ways. Here are 12 examples – everything from technical solutions to theatre.
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The Turbocharger – already a classic
Just over 50 years ago, Volvo Trucks introduced the first turbocharger, making it possible to extract more power and ensure more efficient combustion from the same size engine.
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90% Recycling
Volvo’s trucks are easy to dismantle and recycle or scrap at the end of their lives. Increasing numbers of parts in the cabs and chassis are made of 100 percent recyclable colour-impregnated plastic, promoting a lower environmental burden at all stages compared with painted steel and plastic components. About 90 percent of all the material in a Volvo truck can be reused or recycled. Roughly 33 percent of the content of a new truck is made of recycled materials.
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Prestigious environmental award
In 1988, AB Volvo inaugurated an environmental award totalling 1.5 million Swedish kronor whose aim was to support and draw attention to research and development in the environmental sphere. Today it is one of the world’s most prestigious environmental awards, listing many internationally renowned scientists and experts among its laureates over the years. In recent years, the award has been given for research into how human activity affects the world’s oceanic environment, projects to maintain biodiversity and campaigns to give cities more environmentally sustainable living conditions.
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First off the mark with a hybrid
Volvo Trucks is the first manufacturer with a hybrid for heavy vehicles, a combination of electric and diesel power that reduces fuel consumption by up to 30 percent. For a diesel-powered truck, fuel costs in urban areas account for one-third of the total cost.
“The hybrid truck offers fantastic scope for the heavily burdened urban environment through reduced emissions and lower noise levels. This will be a common sight on city streets in another few years,” says Volvo Trucks environmental affairs director Lars Mårtensson.
The electric motor is used when starting off and for acceleration up to 20 km/h, and at higher speed the diesel engine takes over. When the truck stops to make deliveries, while waiting in tailbacks or at traffic lights, the electric motor automatically takes over again. The diesel engine can be run on renewable biofuel and the energy created during brake application is harnessed to recharge the battery, where it is then stored.
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Energy-efficient factories
Energy consumption in Volvo Trucks factories dropped by 30 percent per truck between 2001 and 2005. The aim is to save an additional 24 percent per truck during the five-year period from 2003 to 2008.
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CO2-free, please!
Before the end of 2008, the main Volvo Trucks factories are to be carbon dioxide-neutral. This means that emissions of fossil carbon dioxide are zero and that the factory’s use of electricity and heating makes no net contribution to the greenhouse effect. With the help of wind power, hydropower and biofuels, Volvo Trucks will be the first manufacturer in the world to have carbon dioxide-neutral vehicle factories. First off the mark is the factory in Ghent, Belgium, which became carbon-dioxide free in September 2007.
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Trucks consume less
A modern Volvo truck consumes 20 percent less energy and releases 20 percent less carbon dioxide than a corresponding truck did 20 years ago.
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Alone with EPD
Volvo Trucks has developed a web-based environmental declaration where truck owners and transport customers can see how much environmental burden different Volvo truck models impose throughout their lifetime, from production and use to scrapping and recycling. In an updated version that was released recently, greater focus is placed on fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. The tool is known as EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) and is available on the Volvo Trucks global website.
“The first version of EPD was unveiled back in 2001 and we are still the only truck manufacturer in the world with this type of service,” says Volvo Trucks environmental affairs director Lars Mårtensson.
Visit www.volvotrucks.com and click your way to EPD.
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Dynafleet
Dynafleet is a logistics system that makes it possible to monitor how each individual truck is driven, its fuel consumption and precise location. The driver gains a better overview of his or her progress and the transport company can better utilise and redirect trucks to ensure maximum transport efficiency. A valuable tool for better fuel economy.
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Longer trucks with EMS
Volvo is lobbying actively to allow longer truck rigs on main roads in Europe. The maximum length in the EU is 18.75 metres for a truck and trailer rig and 16.5 metres for a semitrailer rig. In Sweden and Finland, the maximum permitted length is 25.25 metres. Volvo has developed EMS, the European Modular System, which is used in Sweden and Finland and allows two truck rigs to do the same amount of transport work as three of today’s shorter EU rigs.
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Fuelwatch
With its Fuelwatch initiative, Volvo Trucks is engaging in research and product development aimed at extracting optimum fuel economy from every tankful of fuel. With the help of various products and services, Fuelwatch monitors and checks all aspects of the Volvo truck’s performance.
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… and finally climate culture
Since 2000, Volvo do Brasil has been sponsoring the “Ecological Caravan” theatre ensemble that produces theatre with an ecological message for truck drivers at major truck-stops and trade fairs. ■