A powerful arrives gas engine 500 hp. A piece that can surpass that of hydrogen and electrical fused. According to a report from Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Climate Change (IPCC), to ensure that the increase in global average temperature remains below 1.5ºC, a “substantial reduction in the total use of fossil fuels” is necessary, something that is being achieved with models such as the vehicle with two hydrogen and the one we explain below.
“Minimum unabated use of fossil fuels and the use of carbon capture and storage in remaining fossil fuel systems.” Pursuing this objective requires a huge global investment in energy transition technologies, which is already being carried out both publicly and privately.
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) states that the necessary global investment is more than 5 trillion dollars, more than quadruple the record investment of 1.3 trillion dollars invested in 2022. By 2030, the accumulated investment in transition technologies will already be around 35 billion dollars.
Volvo announces a gas engine that puts hydrogen in trouble
Under these circumstances, Volvo announces the arrival of a gas engine 500 HP, which is added to the offer of two other engines of 420 and 460 HP. These pieces have received important improvements to reduce natural gas or biogas consumption by up to 4%.
Besides, Volvo Trucks The supply of LNG tanks increases with a 10% larger tank, which will provide ranges of up to 1,000 kilometers. It can be mounted interchangeably on FH and FM range trucks, with the possibility of requesting it for FMX vehicles.
From Volvo They guarantee that it comes with considerable improvements in its mechanics, making it comply with the Euro VI E emissions level, which makes it possible to reduce gas consumption by up to 4% compared to the VI D versions. The engines have been completely updated .
They fit new injectors and pistons to reduce friction, along with a new turbo, a variable oil pump and crankcase ventilation, which uses unfiltered oil.
The arrival of this powerful gas engine knocks out hydrogen models
To increase the range of the trucks, the brand has expanded its offer of liquefied gas (LNG) tanks with a tank with 10% more capacity, with which ranges of 1,000 km can be reached. The gas stored in these tanks is at 160ºC below zero and is kept in liquid form and occupies less volume.
These mechanics are very similar to the diesel ones. They do not use spark plugs, they use an injector system with double injector needle that provides the combustion chamber with gas plus a small amount of diesel or HVO, synthetic diesel of renewable origin.
Volvo brings a gas engine to the market to improve its sustainable proposal
This proposal by Volvo Trucks is part of its strategy to reach zero emissions: battery electric trucks, fuel cell trucks and combustion engines that run on renewable fuels such as biogas, HVO or even hydrogen green.
“Various technical solutions are needed because the availability of energy and fuel infrastructure differs greatly between countries and regions, and also because the requirements for each transport assignment can vary,” he warns. Daniel Bergstrandproduct manager for gas trucks at Volvo Trucks.
From Volvo Trucks It is expected that the production of this potent gas engine increase and displace the use of fossil LNG. A feat that would definitively leave the new hydrogen engine models out of the game.
