Volvo Trucks Postpones Planned LNG Engine
Volvo Trucks said it is postponing its planned compression-ignition liquefied natural gas engine for the North American market.
The manufacturer said it still will offer spark-ignited natural-gas engines in its VNM and VNL models.
“Development of the natural-gas infrastructure to support longhaul trucking has been modest over the last year, and the needs of customers in the primary markets for natural-gas vehicles — regional haul and dedicated routes — are being met with the company’s current natural-gas lineup,” the company said in a statement.
Volvo Trucks will continue to field test its dimethyl ether-powered vehicles and said the fuel, which can be produced from natural gas, holds promise as a heavy-truck fuel.
“Customer field tests of DME-powered vehicles will continue, but the company has decided not to establish a commercialization date as it continues monitoring market and stakeholder interest in the fuel,” Volvo said.
