Volvo's first order for methane/diesel buses

 

Volvo's first order for methane/diesel buses

Volvo has received its first order for buses that operate on both biogas
and diesel. Using diesel technology increases environmental efficiency
compared with current gas-operated buses.

Biogas is a renewable fuel that contributes to reducing greenhouse-gas
emissions. Many cities and regions are investing in expanding the
production of biogas for heating and vehicle fuel. Many gas-operated
buses currently use biogas as fuel.

However, current gas-operated buses have some disadvantages. It is a
complicated technology that requires careful maintenance. Furthermore,
current gas-operated engines are based on the same technology as
gasoline engines, the Otto cycle, which is not as energy-efficient as
diesel-engine technology.

“A diesel engine is 30-40% more efficient than current gas-operated
engines,” says Edward Jobson, Environment Director at Volvo
Buses (http://212.181.8.238/webbplatser/vbeb/default.aspx). “In a time
when we must reduce society's total energy consumption, higher
utilization of the diesel-engine technology is an important
development.”

Consequently, AB
Volvo (http://www.volvogroup.com/group/global/en-gb/responsibility/envde
v/environment_news/Pages/environment_news.aspx) is participating in a
demonstration project for methane/diesel technology using buses for
regional traffic and trucks. Current diesel engines will be used, but up
to 70% of the fuel is biogas or natural gas. The Swedish Energy Agency
is contributing nearly SEK 24 M to the project.

With respect to the buses, a common diesel bus will be used, on which
gas tanks will be mounted on the roof and equipment that injects the gas
into the engine to create an optimal mixture of air and fuel.

The diesel engine functions as usual, but only a small amount of common
diesel or bio-diesel will be continuously injected into the cylinders.
The diesel's task is to function as a type of ignition for the gas,
which is the primary fuel. At the same time, the operators will feel
safe knowing that the engine can operate as usual on only diesel if the
gas tank is empty.

 

The gas will be stored in the tanks in a gaseous state, as with current
gas-operated buses and refilled in exactly the same manner from the same
filling stations.

Volvo
Buses (http://www.volvobuses.com/bus/global/en-gb/Pages/home_new.aspx)
has now received its first order for 11 buses, with methane/diesel
technology, from Vårgårdabuss in Sweden, for putting in service in July
2011. It involves the Volvo 8500 intercity bus model.

“For some time, we have been able to offer our Volvo 7700 low-floor bus
with gas-operated engines,” says Martin Spjern, Head of Volvo Buses'
Sweden operations. “Now, we will also be able to offer a low-entrance
bus for regional traffic, which can operate mainly on gas.

“Our customers will have access to a bus that combines the efficiency
and reliability of the diesel engine with the environmental advantages
achieved with gas operations.”

October 26, 2010

For further information, please contact Per-Martin Johansson, press
officer, + 46 31 322 52 00,
per-martin.johansson@volvo.com (per-martin.johansson@volvo.com)

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