CO2-neutral transports

As part of the efforts with alternative fuels, the Volvo Group was the first vehicle manufacturer to develop seven different demonstration trucks that all can be driven without net emissions of climate-impacting carbon dioxide. The vehicles can operate on biodiesel, biogas, biogas combined with biodiesel, ethanol/methanol, dimethyl ether (DME), synthetic diesel and hydrogen gas combined with biogas. These fuels are produced from renewable raw materials and therefore do not result in a net increase in carbon dioxide upon combustion. In this way, the Volvo Group has shown that it is prepared for the fuels of the future, regardless of which alternative authorities choose to invest in.

These activities resulted in the launch of the BioDME project in 2008. The goal of the project is to involve the entire production chain in the production and distribution of DME from biomass until it is used as fuel in vehicles. The project is being financed by the EU and the Swedish Energy Agency. Volvo’s role in the project is to serve as project coordinator and to build 14 vehicles for field-testing.