It's Easy As LNG

Our editor goes tramping for a week in an unusual Volvo: a gas-powered 4x2 FH

- Dougie Rankine

At a glance

• Make & model: Volvo FH LNG 4x2

• Engine: Volvo G13C Euro 6C

• Power: 420hp

• Torque: 2100Nm

• Gearbox: Volvo I-Shift auto-manual

Suspicion surrounds gas power, probably because of the poor reputation for performance and reliability the many and varied dual-fuel projects have accumulated over the years.

With the advent of Euro 6, all that changed. Iveco, Scania and Volvo all began offering factory-built, full-size, full-power gas trucks. Of the two types – compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) – the latter is best suited for the higher-weight, long-distance work most of us do.

Diesel got a right kicking in the wake of the Volkswagen emissions scandal, despite the fact that modern engines really are super-clean. Alternative fuels and drivelines are being trialled and, in future, the various sectors of transport will all be powered differently.

Make no mistake, diesel will be around for a long time to come, but gas, electric and, in time, hydrogen will all play a part.

Price differential

LNG is liked because it burns very cleanly, while biogas (which can be recovered from food waste and landfill) is effectively carbon-neutral. LNG is cheaper than diesel, and the government has guaranteed that price differential until at least 2030.

The fuelling network is still quite small, so LNG is best suited to repeat destinations (trunking) where hauliers install on-site tanks in their yards. The trucks are a lot more expensive and need to rack up some big distances to repay the initial investment but, once that’s out the way, the savings are potentially huge.