PROTOTYPE TRUCKS FROM VOLVO: EMISSIONS-FREE?

Based on the facts as reported, Volvo’s claim to have designed emission-free trucks is deeply troubling. The engines are reportedly modified to burn biofuels, not to do anything about emissions. Burning biofuels synthesizes hydrocarbons, just like burning petroleum products.

There are differences in the chemical structures between biofuels and petroleum products but both create tailpipe emissions. How Volvo can claim the vehicles are emissions-free baffles NewEnergyNews. Maybe there is something lost in translation. Maybe Volvo means “carbon-neutral” although biofuels really aren’t that, either.

Maybe Volvo’s ad agency just had their fingers crossed when they wrote the copy.

Volvo Opens the Door to Carbon Dioxide-Free Trucks
August 29, 2007 (The Auto Channel)

WHO
The Volvo Group, Leif Johansson, CEO;

WHAT
Volvo exhibited 7 demonstration diesel engine trucks modified to run emissions-free on 7 types of renewable liquid and gas fuels.

Volvo's prototype fleet is on the road. (click to enlarge)

WHEN
Trucks exhibited for the first time August 30.

WHERE
Trucks were exhibited for the first time in Stockholm.

WHY
- All trucks have Volvo 9-liter engines modified 7 ways to show the spectrum of possibilities.
- The 7 fuels from renewable raw materials:
1. Biodiesel Biodiesel from the esterification of vegetable oils (rapeseed oil, sunflower seed oil)
2. Biogas from hydrocarboned methane (extracted from sewage treatment works, at garbage dumps, and at other biodegradables dumps.
3. biogas + biodiesel Biogas + biodiesel, combined in separate tanks and injection systems. (10% biodiesel/synthetic diesel to get compression ignition, biogas in a cooled, liquid form for increases driving range)
4. DME (Dimethyl ether) Dimethyl ether, as a low pressure liquid, from gasification of biomass.
5. Ethanol/Methanol: ethanol from crop fermentation, methanol from gasification of biomass.
6. Synthetic Diesel is synthetically manufactured hydrocarbon from biomass gasification (can be mixed with conventional diesel)
7. Hydrogen gas + Biogas. In the vehicle, small amounts of hydrogen (from gasification of biomass or electrolysis of water with renewable electricity) are mixed with compressed biogas.
- Stern Report: 14% of emissions are from transportation, 10% from road transport. In Europe, there are 60% cars, 40% trucks. Conclusion: 4-5% of all emissions from trucks.
- Volvo claims the only thing standing in the way of an emissions-free truck fleet for Europe is the production of the fuels in commercial quantities.

Slick look -- but is the hype a little too slick to be true?

QUOTES
- Johansson: “Volvo is part of the climate problem, but today we have shown that carbon-dioxide free transports are a possibility and that we…will be part for the solution to the climate issue…”
- Jan-Eric Sundgren, Volvo Group Senior VP: “The diesel engine is an extremely efficient energy converter that is perfectly suited to many different renewable fuels, liquid or gaseous…With our know-how in engine technology and our large volumes, we can manufacture engines for several different renewable fuels, and also create possibilities for carbon-dioxide-free transports in such other product areas as buses, construction equipment and boats.”
- Johansson: “With these vehicles, we have shown that Volvo is ready…but we cannot do this alone…We also require large-scale production of renewable fuels and putting such production in operation requires extensive investments in research and development, and also well-defined, common guidelines from authorities…Our own history has taught us that much of what we once thought impossible we have since been able to solve a few years later…I am an optimist and believe in a similar trend in carbon-dioxide-free transport.” (NewEnergyNews: Burning hydrocarbons from biofuels OR petroleum and NOT producing emissions IS impossible!)