No silver bullet
The million-dollar question, of course, is this one: which is the best solution – both for the planet and the transport operator? LNG or electromobility? Or perhaps something else entirely?
In order to get the answer to this question, we recently attended a conference on alternative drivelines in Lyon, organised exclusively for members of the International Truck of the Year jury, and Mikael Karlsson, vice president autonomous solutions at Volvo Trucks and a speaker at the event, probably put it best. “There simply is no silver bullet,” he noted.
Instead, he said that a multi-facetted approach is required – but he acknowledged that something certainly has to be done. “We have to deal with certain realities: transportation needs will rise; everyone wants their e-commerce goods in one or two days. Thanks to global warming, we’re not only seeing legislators putting pressure on the situation; we’re also seeing teenagers putting a stick in the ground,” he pointed out. So, how is Volvo reacting to this situation?
Making diesel better
The trucks on South African roads run on diesel and, while Volvo Group Southern Africa is eyeing LNG and electromobility, this is a situation that isn’t likely to change drastically in the future. Accordingly, Volvo Trucks is continuing to develop the diesel trucks that currently make up the absolute majority of its sales (not just here in South Africa but all over the world).
According to Malcom Gush, director of truck sales at Volvo Group Southern Africa, Volvo has already made considerable progress in this regard. “Volvo has decreased fuel consumption on comparable size engines by more than 50% between 1976 and 2019 with engine power increasing considerably over this 47-year timespan,” he reveals. But there is always room for additional improvements with more efficient powertrains, lower rolling resistance, and better aerodynamics.
Last year, for instance, Volvo lifted the lid on its new FH with I-Save. By combining the new D13TC engine with updated fuel-saving features, this new solution can cut fuel costs by up to 7% in long-haul operations – without compromising drivability.
On a local front, the company will be launching even more fuel efficient Euro 3 engines for the FH, FM and FMX ranges with fuel consumption savings of as much as 3% on long haul operations due to the fitment of new engine hardware – including a different turbocharger – and changes to the software. Volvo will also be offering a patented disengaging rear axle mechanism on its 6x4 trucks which can result in a 3% fuel saving when the truck is running lightly laden.
LNG looks good
However, Volvo certainly isn’t resting on its diesel-dominated laurels and, back in 2017, it launched the Volvo FH LNG. This gas-powered truck delivers the same performance as other Volvo FH trucks, it can be run on either biogas, which cuts CO2 by up to 100%, or natural gas which reduces CO2 emissions by 20% compared with diesel. This relates to emissions from the vehicle during usage, known as “tank-to-wheel”.
The great news with these LNG-powered trucks – which come with a 313 or 343 kW (420 or 460 hp) engine – is that they’re as driveable as diesels (but they’re so much greener).
These are the trucks that Volvo Group Southern Africa could bring to this country. In fact, it will be piloting a FH equipped with a Euro 6 engine running on LNG this year. Volvo has already sold more than 3 000 trucks and buses fitted with LNG engines elsewhere in the world.
E-mobility could work too
Like most of the other truck makers, Volvo is also eyeing e-power. In fact, it is already a long way down the e-road. “At the end of last year, it started taking orders for its 16-tonne Volvo FL and 27-tonne Volvo FE electric trucks in Sweden, Norway, Germany, Switzerland, France and the Netherlands,” reveals Hörberg.
Serial production of the Volvo FL Electric and Volvo FE Electric trucks – which have been developed for distribution, refuse handling and other urban transport applications – starts in March 2020. Given the target markets, only left-hand drive models will be produced initially.
However, given the fact that Volvo Group Southern Africa is currently looking into electromobility, we surmise that right-hand drive production could be just around the corner…
Looking even further forward
So, LNG and electromobility, are on South Africa’s trucking horizon. What about autonomous trucks – like Volvo’s Vera?
According to Karlsson, we will soon be seeing a lot of Veras on our planet. “Going forward, three mega trends will apply. These are connectivity, automation and electromobility. And, when they’re combined, the magic happens,” he noted at the conference.
Connectivity will almost certainly impact South Africa. One day, in the not-too-distant future, all the trucks on our roads will happily chat away to each other (they will also communicate almost instantly with the surrounding infrastructure). Both the truck and the driver will have instantaneous access to real-time information. “This will enable them to plan and react to changes as they are happening. These technologies can lead to improved traffic flow, greater safety and more efficiency,” says Jenny Elfsberg, who manages the Volvo Group Connected Solutions Innovation Lab in California, where she is tasked with establishing innovation partnerships to collaborate on emerging technologies, including connectivity.
And what of the final mega trend, autonomy? “Currently we have no plans to introduce Vera into the local market for the foreseeable future, but this does not mean that it will never happen,” says Hörberg.
So, the driverless and cabless Vera won’t be popping into sunny South Africa any time soon. Never mind. It seems as though we have a lot else to look forward to …
