Volvo puts hybrid truck on open sale
Operators of Volvo’s FE hybrid truck have been able to record fuel savings of between 15 and 20 per cent on urban delivery and refuse collection applications, the manufacturer reports.
Operational trials with around 50 production vehicles that began in September 2011 have been so successful, Volvo says, that the truck is now on open sale, and a further 12 vehicles have been built so far this year. Christina Eriksson, Volvo’s business manager for alternative drivelines, said: “Our hybrid technology has performed exactly as we hoped, as regards both carbon dioxide emission reductions and reliability.
“Prior to the launch we trained two hybrid technology experts so they’d be prepared to quickly get to any customers experiencing problems with their new trucks. But the fact is they have had very little to do. They’ve spent most of their time training drivers and mechanics.”
There is an approximately 50/50 split in vehicles in service between distribution and refuse collection. It is in these two areas that the technology offers the greatest fuel savings, between 15 and 20 per cent, depending on chassis and driving cycles. Some refuse truck operators with trucks featuring a rechargeable electrical waste compactor have been able to cut their fuel consumption by 30 per cent.
While Volvo is now happy to sell, rather than lease, the trucks, the specialist nature of the driveline means that a full R&M contract is still required.
Dutch recycling company Roteb of Rotterdam acquired two Volvo FE hybrids in order to meet both its own and the city’s environmental policies. The new trucks were purchased outright.
Roteb sales director Rene Herlaar said: “Volvo’s hybrid trucks function exactly like our diesel-powered refuse trucks, but consume about 30 per cent less fuel and are far quieter than diesels. We would definitely consider buying additional hybrids if the price and the political decisions make it possible.”
For the drivers the purchase of hybrid refuse trucks has been a highly appreciated move, resulting in an improved working environment.
Roteb driver Ton van der Horst reports: “They’re reliable, offer really good visibility and great driveability. What’s more, they’re very quiet. We get a lot of compliments and thumbs-up from people out on our rounds, they really appreciate that such a large truck can be so quiet and clean.”
Christina Eriksson admits that Volvo faces a challenge to reduce costs and increase sales volumes so that production can expand and become more costeffective. “Today the cost of hybrid technology is forcing the price so high that it is difficult for the customer to achieve economic gain in the short-term.
“However, having said that, it definitely promotes goodwill. If a company buys a hybrid truck, it shows that the environment is a high priority and they can reap many advantages from that. But in the perspective of a couple of years or so, our aim is to reach a more commercially viable level on costs, so that the customer can achieve good profitability right from the start.”
Volvo Trucks’ environmental director Lars Mårtensson told Transport Operator that the forthcoming EU legislation, encompassing the ability to measure and compare the fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of heavy trucks, will boost hybrids.
“That will massively increase interest in really economical trucks. Today electric hybrids are definitely the best and most reliable alternative,” he said.
In spite of the UK’s high diesel prices, uptake of the Volvo hybrid truck here has so far been slow. Pre-production evaluation vehicles were used by Veolia and DHL, but have since been returned, while a remaining evaluation vehicle is still with Arla Foods and Stobart is using a production curtainsider on a soft-drinks contract.
Volvo press officer Nigel Hanwell said there was some interest shown in hybrid trucks at the CV Show, and added that there were “dozens” of buses using substantially the same technology in service with British operators.
