Volvo Field Testing Hybrid Refuse Trucks in Sweden

Volvo Truck Corp. said Monday it launching two hybrid refuse trucks in Sweden that will be tested in regular daily operations by two refuse firms there.

Volvo will begin producing hybrid trucks next year, said Staffan Jufors, Volvo’s chief executive officer.

Sharply rising oil and retail fuel prices, along with environmental concerns, are driving interest in the technology, the company said.

“This test phase is the last stage in the evaluation of our hybrid solution ahead of production launch,” Jufors said.

“Since we presented our first concept vehicle in 2006, we have seen considerably heightened market interest in this technology. What makes our solution unique is that it is sufficiently powerful to drive heavy vehicles and more cost-effective than all other current alternatives,” he said.