Trucks
Battery electric, biogas, biodiesel, HVO, hydrogen – as we count down the days of diesel being the number one fuel for heavy-duty trucks, there is no shortage of potential alternative drivelines. But which one offers the fastest path to reduced CO2 emissions and a decarbonized transport industry? Volvo Trucks’ three-path strategy outlines a future with more than one solution.
According to Volvo Trucks, there will not be a silver bullet solution to the industry’s climate challenge. Instead, it is expected that multiple complementary technologies will be developed and rolled out. Combined, these technologies will enable the industry to make a transition away from fossil fuels.
The three paths in Volvo Trucks’ strategy are:
- Battery electric
- Combustion engines running on renewable fuels including hydrogen
- Electric fuel cell trucks running on hydrogen.
“Which of the three paths is best will depend on several factors and will differ across industries, segments and regions,” says Lars Mårtensson, Director Environment, Volvo Trucks. "The situation will also change over time as technologies continue to develop and improve. But we expect diesel to be replaced by multiple technologies and fuels – not just one.”
“There will not be a silver bullet solution. Instead, we expect to see multiple complementary technologies being developed.”
How important are battery-electric trucks?
Electric trucks are already playing a vital role in decarbonizing transport and offer a lot of hope for the future. Battery technology continues to advance, with improvements in both capacity, performance and cost.
Meanwhile, public charging infrastructure for trucks is expanding in many parts of the world, making electric trucks a more attractive alternative for a growing number of businesses.
Right now, electric trucks are best suited for local and regional transport, where one overnight charge provides the battery capacity needed to cover the required distances. With more useable energy onboard the truck, ranges soon increasing to 600 km , and expected to continue increasing in the coming years, it will be possible for electric trucks to be used in even more energy demanding applications, with heavier loads and longer distances.
“We see huge potential in battery electric trucks and believe they will help a lot of businesses to decarbonize,” says Lars Mårtensson. “However, the reality is that they are not compatible with every truck operation. They cannot meet every business’ needs in terms of range and payload, and charging infrastructure is still insufficient in many parts of the world. For this reason, battery-electric trucks cannot solve the industry’s decarbonization challenges alone, and there’s a need for other solutions too.”
Why combustion engines will still be needed
Since electric trucks cannot replace all diesel trucks, combustion engines will still have an important role in a zero-emissions transport industry – but they’ll run on a range of renewable fuels instead of diesel. For instance, HVO – also known as renewable diesel – is growing rapidly in many markets. HVO100, for example, is a HVO fuel made entirely from renewable feedstock, which is now widely available in Europe.
One of the biggest advantages of HVO is that it is fully compatible with existing diesel vehicles and infrastructure, allowing truck owners to transition with minimal disruption to their business.
Its main drawbacks are the cost of production and the limited availability of renewable feedstock for production. This means it will not be a viable alternative for all truck owners. However, for businesses operating in markets where HVO is affordable and readily available, it could prove to be the simplest and easiest path to decarbonization.
LNG and bio-LNG are other fuels expected to play a role. While LNG is still a fossil fuel, it can deliver a significant carbon reduction compared to diesel. It can act as a transitional fuel to bio-LNG, as production and availability increase. Since bio-LNG is made from organic waste, its tank-to-wheel emissions are virtually zero and depending on the waste material used in its production, according to Volvo Trucks, its well-to-wheel emissions can be up to 100 percent.
For long-haul and heavy transport in particular, gas could be the most viable alternative since gas-powered Volvo trucks can deliver the same range and performance as diesel equivalents.
In some markets, biodiesel is becoming more available. This is a renewable fuel made from vegetable oils, animal fats or used cooking oil that can reduce life-cycle CO₂ emissions by up to 74 percent depending on the feedstock used in production.
In the coming years, hydrogen is another alternative fuel that can be used in conventional combustion engines. Volvo Trucks, is currently developing hydrogen-powered trucks, and plans to begin customer tests in 2026.
Volvo Trucks is continuing to invest in hydrogen fuel cell technology, with tests recently being carried out in harsh winter conditions.
Are hydrogen fuel cells a viable option?
Are hydrogen fuel cells a viable option?
In addition to fueling a combustion engine, hydrogen can also be used to power electric fuel cells. While the technology is not yet available on a commercial scale, its potential is huge.
A hydrogen fuel cell truck can provide the same power and range as a diesel truck, but combined with the benefits of a battery electric battery truck – namely zero tailpipe emissions and low noise.
There are still multiple challenges ahead before the potential of hydrogen fuel cells can be realized. Apart from developing and commercializing the trucks themselves, both refueling infrastructure and production of affordable green, fossil-free, hydrogen need to be developed and expanded.
“Due to its potential benefits for decarbonizing transportation, hydrogen fuel cell technology forms part of Volvo’s three-path strategy,” says Lars. "We are still investing heavily in its development, namely through cellcentric, a joint venture between Volvo Group and Daimler Truck AG.”
“By combining the benefits of each technology, applying them where they’re most logical, it should be possible to achieve our target of selling only fossil-fuel free trucks by 2040”
Which of the three paths is best for your business?
Each of these three paths has its own challenges and limitations – but also opportunities. Each can contribute towards decarbonization, and for that reason, Volvo Trucks does not see them as competing technologies. They’re complementary.
”By combining the benefits of each technology, applying them where they’re most logical, it should be possible to achieve our target of selling only fossil-fuel free trucks by 2040,” says Lars Mårtensson “This is the core of Volvo Trucks’ three-path strategy, which currently guides our research and development work into alternative fuels.”
Which alternative that best suits your business will depend on multiple factors and will differ depending on your own unique operating conditions. For example, cost, range, payload, and accessibility – these are all important considerations.
You can read more about what factors you need to consider here.
To learn more about the different alternative fuels for heavy-duty trucks, you might be interested in reading:
- What’s the fastest way to reduce the climate impact of your business?
- What is the best alternative fuel for heavy-duty trucks?
- Different routes to a fossil fuel-free future for trucks
1 ‘Biodiesel Vehicle Emissions’, US Department of Energy, https://afdc.energy.gov/vehicles/diesels-emissions
2 ‘What is Green Hydrogen’, Green Hydrogen Organisation, https://gh2.org/what-green-hydrogen
The road to more sustainable trucking
From alternative fuels to improved fuel efficiency, there are multiple ways to reduce your truck’s carbon footprint. Learn more about how Volvo Trucks can help you meet your sustainability targets.
Find the right truck for you
Browse the full range of Volvo Trucks’ low and zero-emission drivelines and truck models, including battery-electric, gas-power, and combustion engines compatible with alternative fuels such as HVO and biodiesel.
