Energy Efficiency and Security

The transport sector accounts for 25% of the total use of fossil fuel. The EU current imports 50% of its current energy, and that figure could rise further over the coming years. But our energy needs are changing, as we try to address global warming.

Energy efficiency and reduced dependency on fossil fuel are at the heart of our research and development efforts. Renewable energy is already in use at Volvo's production plants: our factory in Ghent, Belgium, is CO₂-free.

But for the vehicles themselves, the main criteria for finding future fuels are energy efficiency, well-to-wheel, CO₂, as well as a technology neutral approach. Different alternative fuels may be available in the future, and we need to provide a broad range of solutions. We also believe that introducing longer vehicles - under the European Modular System (EMS) - could save up to 15% of fuel use.

Successfully implemented, these measures hold the promise for secured sustainable development, improved European competitiveness, less dependency on energy imports, and less CO₂ and NOx per tonne/km.

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