When and how do you start transitioning your fleet?

Consulting sustainability

With the current grid congestion, is it wise to invest in making your fleet more sustainable? Isn't it better to wait anyway until the vehicles have a greater range? Who better to ask than Jan Schouten, Manager of Energy Transition at Volvo Trucks. Not only does he deal with these issues full-time, Volvo was also the first truck brand to bring hybrid trucks, (Bio-)LNG trucks and a full range of electric trucks into series production on the market. 

Says Schouten, "It really is time to make a plan for your fleet in terms of CO2 emissions and sustainability. There is a lot coming at our sector in the coming years, but I see that many smaller carriers have no idea what is hanging over their heads." 

Schouten has been with Volvo for more than 20 years and started his position as transition manager last year. "People think it will all take some time, partly because of grid congestion. But an awful lot is going to change in the short term. Take the zero-emission zones. Starting next year, certain company cars and trucks will already be prohibited from entering many inner cities. In addition, there is to be a mileage tax in 2026, and one of the requirements is that it must include CO2 control. Considering that you're buying a truck for about five to seven years, it's better to anticipate things than wait and see."

Gaining experience

But isn't it smarter to wait until the range exceeds the current 300 kilometers? "There's always something to think of that will be better in the near future. However, it is important to get in now. Then you can start small and gain experience. And you can start by applying for a weighted grid connection for the charging facility. Because it is possible to charge one truck overnight, but installing a fast charger is more difficult. Let alone fully charging ten trucks. If you wait for a longer range, you also shift the problem. After all, you then also need greater charging capacity."

Alternative fuels

Electric driving is not the only way to achieve CO2 reduction. It can also be achieved by using fuels now such as HVO, Bio-LNG and in the future hydrogen. "I recommend comparing the various options carefully and, above all, seek the advice of professionals who already have the knowledge. For example, we like to use our expertise to think along with carriers and warehouses without any obligation. Or point them in the right direction within our network. For example, we also have some partnerships in the field of loading infrastructure."

Volvo FH Aero

"Care for the environment has been embedded in our strategy for many years. Following the Paris Agreement, we therefore voluntarily decided to commit to the Science Based Targets initiative. Thus, since 2007, our production facility in Ghent, Belgium, has been the world's first CO2-neutral vehicle plant. But even with safety features, we do not wait until it is a legal requirement. Being at the forefront has the disadvantage of being the first to invent the wheel, but it also provides an important advantage: you build up more experience than competitors, so the technologies applied have the most reliability." 

Matching this forward thinking, Volvo Trucks recently added a new truck to its iconic FH series: the Volvo FH Aero. With this, Volvo has made particular strides in aerodynamics. "After all, air resistance is a strong determinant of fuel consumption and thus CO2 emissions and range. With the improved aerodynamics and other technologies of this new truck, you can save up to five percent on energy consumption and emissions." The VOLVO FH Aero is available in four variants, including a Bio-LNG version and the award-winning electric version.