Volvo Trucks: Fuels and environmental responsibility in focus

Drive fuel-efficiently and you can save both money and the environment. This is Volvo’s most important message at this year’s European Road Transport Show that takes place at the RAI in Amsterdam from October 26th to November 3rd. In focus is “Fuelwatch” – a holistic concept that, correctly utilised, gives customers considerably lower fuel costs as well as the opportunity to take active responsibility for the environment.

Keeping pace with increasingly stringent environmental demands and tougher competition on the market, a clean environment and good fuel economy are becoming increasingly important to Volvo’s customers. Consequently, Volvo is focusing firmly on these issues at this year’s show. In the spotlight is “Fuelwatch”, a concept that uses a blend of both hardware and software to take a holistic grasp of the customer’s fuel consumption.

At the Volvo “Fuelwatch” stand, visitors have the opportunity to see how it is possible to make significant fuel savings through a planned and structured method. One important aspect is that the big gains come as a result of a number of interacting measures from specifying the truck correctly when placing the order - so it is optimally suited to its intended operations - to ensuring that drivers are properly trained to drive in the most economical way possible.

However “Fuelwatch” is not only of interest to new-truck customers as existing trucks can be upgraded to become more fuel-efficient by altering the transmission software.

Volvo is ready for the fuels of the future
Volvo has long been preparing itself for a future of reduced oil dependency and increased demand on the use of renewable fuels. The company wants to demonstrate its amassed expertise and is taking the opportunity at the show to initiate a discussion on fuels of the future.

At the show, a truck running on biogas and biodiesel represents Volvo’s next-generation approach to the issue of forthcoming fuels. The company’s unique hybrid technology for heavy trucks will be shown in the form of a prototype engine.

The message from Volvo is that the company has the technical expertise and the competence needed to develop more fuel-efficient vehicles and technology for renewable fuels. What Volvo now wants is for politicians to make up their minds as to which fuels they wish to focus on for the future, and how they aim to pursue their development in practice as the gradual transfer from today’s conventional fuels is initiated.

Trucks and construction equipment under one roof
Volvo is the only vehicle manufacturer in the world to have both trucks and construction equipment in its product range and is thus able to offer almost everything a construction operator might want. In addition to the customer offer itself, this type of shared product development at component level also frees up additional resources for the development of high-tech and efficient next-generation components. With a mini-excavator from Volvo Construction Equipment on display, Volvo aims to demonstrate its broad customer offer.

The flagship among Volvo’s trucks is naturally on display
With “Fuelwatch” as its central theme at this year’s exhibition, Volvo is showing a concept that favours both good fuel efficiency and responsibility for the environment.

I-Shift is an automated transmission that has become a huge sales success since it was first introduced for long-haul trucks back in 2001. Four years later I-Shift was launched for construction operations with equal success, and today it is something that the entire industry is talking about. About 60 percent of Volvo trucks sold today are equipped with I-Shift, an important ingredient in the optimised driveline.

VEB+ (Volvo Engine Brake) is another product that is grabbing considerable attention at this year’s show. The new more powerful version is an unsurpassed engine brake that is suitable for both long haulage and tough construction work. VEB+ is an example of Volvo’s leading position within engine technology for heavy trucks.

With its massive 660hp, the Volvo FH16 is Volvo’s flagship and naturally on display. It has the best torque on the market and forms a particularly powerful and appreciated truck for heavy commercial operations.

The Volvo FL and Volvo FE, which can both be ordered with factory-fitted bodies, are two light trucks that are being shown at this year’s show. They were introduced in May 2006 and are optimised for regional and local distribution, and both are also well suited for urban distribution applications.

Vehicles on display


Volvo FL 4x2 R (with box body)
Volvo FE 4x2 T (fuel optimised)
Volvo FE 6x2 R
Volvo FM 8x4 R (with hook lift)
Volvo FM 4x2 T (fuel optimised)
Volvo FH 6x2 T (80 years truck)
Volvo FH 4x2 T (fuel optimised)
Volvo FH16 8x4 (heavy haulage)
Volvo VT880 (for heavy haulage in North America)