Volvo Trucks India initiated it’s switch towards alternate fuels in India with the commencement of commercial trials of its liquified natural gas (LNG) powered class leading FM 420 4X2 Tractor. Aimed at offering alternate fuel solutions for demanding long-distance haulage applications, the commercial trial was flagged off from Nagpur in the presence of senior executives from Dehlivery - a leading Indian logistics provider for e-Commerce, Gas Authority of India Ltd (GAIL), BLNG - the providers of LNG, and Volvo Trucks executives.
Speaking on the occasion, B Dinakar, EVP and Business Head - Volvo Trucks - VE Commercial Vehicles Ltd, said, “Our BS VI compliant Volvo FM 420 4x2 tractor-trailer solution is already the industry benchmark for express cargo clocking over 25,000 Kms every month with exceptional uptime. This LNG powered Volvo FM 420 4X2 solution will help our customers to reduce vehicle emissions and improve fuel efficiency levels in their operations even further. We are particularly proud to be introducing such solutions at a time when the Government of India has defined its vision for modernizing logistics in India, as laid out in the recently released National Logistics Policy and Gati Shakti program.”
Volvo LNG powered trucks are unique as they use the diesel cycle to run the LNG engine as opposed to the industry practice to use Otto or petrol cycle using spark plugs for combustion. By leveraging the technology and efficiency of a diesel cycle which is 15-20% better than petrol cycle, Volvo LNG trucks offer superior fuel efficiency and performance. Volvo has been supplying LNG powered trucks in Europe for the past 5 years and many thousand trucks are operational in severe applications like long haul, petroleum, oil and lubricants distribution, refrigerated container movements and road train combinations.
“The LNG powered Volvo FM 420 4X2 is the next step in Volvo Trucks continuing endeavour to introduce innovative transport solutions that set new standards for Productivity, Safety & Uptime in India. Further delivering on Volvo Trucks core value of Safety, the Volvo LNG FM 420 4X2 truck offers advanced driver assist functions like lane departure warning and Automatic Emergency Braking System.” concluded Jonas Nilsson, VP India & Indonesia - Volvo Truck Corporation.
Investments by leading players to develop LNG distribution infrastructure and modernizing logistics driven by Government of India Policies will pave the way for LNG powered trucks in the demanding long-haul segment.
