Decarbonization may conjure images of electric trucks and renewable energy, but diesel engines remain a critical piece of the puzzle. As fleets look to cut emissions, it’s essential to recognize that not all progress hinges on electrification. Diesel, the workhorse of the heavy-duty trucking industry, is proving its ability to adapt and contribute to sustainability efforts.
Volvo Trucks Diesel Engines Driving Real-World Emission Reductions
Peter Voorhoeve, president of Volvo Trucks North America, highlighted the importance of diesel during an interview at ACT Expo. “Advanced Clean Transport is not only about this beautiful electric truck. It’s also about more fuel-efficient diesel trucks, and the majority is still diesel trucks,” he said.
One key focus is fuel efficiency, which directly impacts CO2 emissions. Volvo’s all-new VNL model exemplifies this approach. Voorhoeve noted that by improving fuel economy by 10%, a truck driving 120,000 miles per year can save around 1,300 gallons of fuel. That’s significant because each gallon of diesel burned emits approximately 22.5 pounds of CO2. Multiply that by the fuel savings, and you’re looking at nearly 30,000 pounds of CO2 reduced annually per truck.
For fleet managers, this means that upgrading to the latest diesel technologies can yield tangible environmental benefits without the logistical hurdles associated with fully electric fleets.
Meeting New Standards
The regulatory landscape continues to push diesel engines toward cleaner operations. Volvo recently announced that its Variable Geometry Turbocharger (VGT) engine is undergoing the CARB 24 Omnibus certification process. This engine marks a step forward as it moves from requiring OEMs to depend upon emission credits to selling diesel trucks without them. Once certified, Volvo Trucks aims to have it hit the market in the fourth quarter of this year.
“We are always compliant, but right now we sell vehicles in California with 1.0 grams of NOx, and that requires credits,” Voorhoeve explained. “Now with the 0.05 engine, we don’t need credits anymore. So we can sell all the trucks that we want.”
The ability to comply with CARB’s stringent standards while maintaining performance underscores how diesel technology is evolving. For fleets operating in California, where emissions regulations are tightest, this development offers a straightforward path to compliance while keeping diesel trucks on the road.
Autonomous Trucks: Reality, Not Hype
Beyond emissions, another hot topic at ACT Expo was autonomous trucking. According to Voorhoeve, autonomous trucks are no longer just futuristic concepts — they’re already on the road.
“We have the all-new VNL autonomous truck driving right now with our customers — DHL and Uber Freight — but with the safety driver,” Voorhoeve shared. “The next big step is going to take the safety driver out.”
The goal is to gradually ramp up production and sales as technology and regulations evolve. For fleet managers, this signals a shift toward integrating autonomy into operations sooner rather than later.
Bridging the Gap
The future of heavy-duty trucking is not a binary choice between electric and diesel. Instead, it’s a nuanced journey where diesel engines play a vital role alongside new technologies. Fuel-efficient diesel engines provide an immediate way to reduce emissions, while autonomous technology promises long-term gains in safety and operational efficiency.
Welcome to Fleet Equipment Unscripted. This video interview series connects you with the greatest minds in the heavy-duty trucking world. Hendrickson sponsors Fleet Equipment Unscripted.
link
About the Author
