These trucks were exhibited for the first time today in Stockholm this week and are equipped with diesel engines that have been modified to operate on seven different types of renewable liquid and gaseous fuels.

"Volvo is part of the climate problem, but today we have shown that carbon-dioxide free transports are a possibility and that we as a vehicle manufacturer both can and will be part for the solution to the climate issue," says Leif Johansson, CEO of the Volvo Group.

The trucks exhibited in Stockholm can be operated on the same number of different renewable fuels and-or combinations of fuels, such as biodiesel, biogas combined with biodiesel, ethanol-methanol, DME (Dimethyl ether), synthetic diesel and hydrogen gas combined with biogas.

Since all of these fuels are produced from renewable raw materials, they provide no carbon-dioxide contributions to the ecosystem when combusted, Volvo claims.

"The diesel engine is an extremely efficient energy converter that is perfectly suited to many different renewable fuels, liquid or gaseous," says Jan-Eric Sundgren, member of Volvo Group Management and Senior Vice President, Public and Environmental Affairs. "With our know-how in engine technology and our large volumes, we can manufacture engines for several different renewable fuels, and also create possibilities for carbon-dioxide-free transports in such other product areas as buses, construction equipment and boats."

However, the company adds that the supply of different renewable fuels is significantly limited and there is no large-scale production or distribution for the majority of the alternatives that could be utilized in carbon-dioxide-free transports.

"We also require large-scale production of renewable fuels and putting such production in operation requires extensive investments in research and development, and also well-defined, common guidelines from authorities in as many countries as possible," says Leif Johansson.