Volvo, Mack Set Partnership With Shell to Boost LNG Use in Heavy Trucks
Volvo Trucks and sister company Mack Trucks announced agreements Wednesday with Shell Oil Co. to support expanded use of liquefied natural gas in heavy-duty trucks.
The agreements, which are global and not exclusive, will include collaboration on issues such as fuel specification and emissions performance, as well as general sharing of knowledge and experience with all aspects of the growing natural-gas market, Volvo said.
“Customer interest in natural gas as a heavy-duty truck fuel will only continue to grow,” said Göran Nyberg, president of Volvo Trucks North American sales and marketing.
Volvo plans to introduce its own LNG-fueled engine next year, and the agreement “is part of our effort to collaborate with various stakeholders to ensure that the market is supported with the necessary infrastructure,” Nyberg said.
Mack has had natural gas-powered vehicles in service since 2009, said Kevin Flaherty, Mack’s president of North American sales and marketing.
“We look forward to working with Shell and other fuel providers to further support the burgeoning natural-gas truck market here in North America,” he said in a statement.
Volvo and Mack are units of Sweden-based Volvo AB.
Volvo — which announced the development of its proprietary 13-liter LNG engine for North America last May — said the engine’s advanced high-pressure diesel-ignition technology will provide significant fuel-efficiency gains compared with spark-ignited natural-gas engines, making it a viable solution for longhaul trucking applications.
