Volvo Group CEO, Leif Johansson showed President Bush Volvo Group’s version of environmentally adapted, heavy-duty transportation at last week’s Washington International Renewable Energy Conference in Washington D.C. Seven Volvo Group trucks, each capable of operating on different renewable fuels, were presented.
“Each of the trucks seen by President Bush can be driven without any net contribution of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere,” said Johansson. The display also included a Mack hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), which will be delivered to the U.S. Air Force under a cooperative research and development agreement. Currently, the U.S. Air Force is testing four Mack HEV trucks.
During his address to conference participants, President Bush said, “Expanding use in ethanol and biodiesel requires getting more cars on the road that use these alternative fuels. We expect the private sector to respond.”
Noting Mack and Volvo’s efforts to lessen their environmental footprint, Bush continued, “Technology is changing. Five years ago those trucks would not have been available for people at this exhibit to look at. Today they’re on the road. As a matter of fact, the U.S. Air Force is using these kinds of trucks. Things are changing.”
The Volvo Group also is participating in an environmental agreement developed by the American and Swedish governments. The program aims to reduce the use of fossil fuels through cooperative projects in the areas of energy and automotive development, including advanced hybrid and alternative driveline technology.
“Volvo has the technology and resources for carbon-dioxide-neutral transports, but we cannot do it alone. By participating in this conference we have had the opportunity to show the American President and the public that Volvo is doing all it can to move the technological future one step closer,” said Johansson.
