The climate change has become an important issue across the globe. As one of the world's leading commercial vehicle manufacturers, we have a responsibility to reduce the environmental impact of our operations and the products we deliver. Transport is responsible for approximately 13%, of which goods transports on roads accounts for about 4% of the total green house gas emissions caused by humans. From the results of Life Cycle analysis we know that 80-90% of the total environmental impact from a truck comes from the use of the products.
Oil has played too big a role - time for change
98% of the energy used in the transport industry still derives from fossil fuels. Today there is more or less a consensus that soon we are approaching the peak of world crude oil production since conventional crude oil suppliers are declining. The conclusion is that the current use of crude oil is not sustainable and that the pending shortage should not be resolved by the introduction of transport fuels derived from coal or tar sands.
Volvo has demonstrated its ability to develop vehicles for different renewable fuel options, transports which do not emit additional CO2 to the atmosphere. Making CO2 neutral transports a reality will not happen of its own accord, nor can we do it alone. Making CO2 neutral transports a reality will require the active participation of the different actors in society.
To be able to decrease our products environmental impact we have three parallell approaches for product development:
- attain high fuel efficiency and low emissions throughout the life cycle
- develop alternatives that complement the diesel engine, such as hybrid drivelines that offer potential energy storage
- develop and identify renewable fuels.