Volvo's big green garbage truck

As transport industries of all persuasions look at ways to reduce their carbon footprint, Volvo Trucks has released its second-generation garbage truck, which will begin testing in London.

The hybrid refuse vehicle had been in testing for 18 months in Stockholm and Göteborg in Sweden and has just been given an update to improve its efficiencies.

Fredrik Bohlin, the business manager for Hybrids at Volvo Trucks, said that a small-scale series production of the hybrid garbage trucks will commence in 2012; later than originally planned (due in large part to the global financial crisis).

"The basic concept is the same, but all the components and software have been updated," explains Fredrik Bohlin of the evolving hybrid truck.

"Development is extremely fast, and the technology in our latest test vehicle is much closer to a production-ready solution," adds Bohlin.

Using a diesel-electric hybrid system, Volvo reckons that the truck will use up to 30 per cent less fuel, a claim that has been backed up Renova, a waste and recycling company in Göteborg, Sweden.

"The hybrid has met our expectations and our drivers are highly satisfied," says Lars Thulin, vehicle development manager at Renova. "The electrical power system provides high torque from start-up, low noise level and emission-free loading and refuse compaction. In terms of fuel consumption and climate impact, our measured results are even better than expected.

"We've achieved reductions of a staggering 35 per cent. On a annual basis, the hybrid saves us 5250 litres of fuel compared to a traditional diesel engine... and we only drive single shifts," added Thulin.

Volvo's new garbage truck has electric power steering and the refuse compaction system is also run via electricity, which is charged via the main grid before use.

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