Volvo Trucks says its new FH is its most fuel-efficient truck to date, helping cut fuel costs by up to seven per cent in long-haul operations without compromising drivability. This has been achieved by combining the new D13TC engine with updated I-Save fuel-saving features, says the Swedish trucks manufacturer.

As demand for transportation grows and trucks cover increasingly longer distances, transport operators are at the same time faced with rising diesel prices putting pressure on profitability, says a senior company official.

“Volvo FH with I-Save is our answer to this challenge. It is a complete solution that combines our latest technology to substantially bring down fuel consumption in long-haul operations. And this is without compromising drivability,” says Roger Alm, president of Volvo Trucks.

The new FH ... Volvo’s most fuel-efficient truck to date.

At the core of Volvo FH with I-Save is the new, state-of-the-art D13TC – Volvo Trucks’ most fuel-efficient long-haul engine to date. It features pistons with a patented wave-shaped interior that improves combustion and increases efficiency by guiding heat and energy to the centre of the cylinders. Excess energy in the exhaust gases is then used to power the engine through an additional turbine in the exhaust flow, called the Turbo Compound unit.

The D13TC engine produces up to 300 Nm extra torque, which means less acceleration and fuel is needed to keep a steady speed in highway traffic, providing an ideal solution for long-haul customers, he adds.

Other features of I-Save include new fuel-efficient rear axles, an updated map-based I-See system that analyses and adapts to gradients ahead and includes gear-shifting software optimised for long-haul applications. The combined efficiency gains of all these products and services can result in fuel-cost savings by up to seven per cent compared to a D13 Euro 6 Step D engine*.

“We have tailored every aspect of I-Save to suit long-haul operators, especially those that typically drive more than 120,000 km per year,” says Mats Franzén, Powertrain Strategy director at Volvo Trucks. “The longer they drive, the more they can potentially save. It is a powerful engine which delivers a highly fuel-efficient and smooth driving experience.”

Volvo Trucks is part of Volvo Group, a world leading manufacturer of trucks, buses, construction equipment and marine and industrial engines.

Volvo Trucks provides complete transport solutions for professional and demanding customers, offering a full range of medium- to heavy-duty trucks. Customer support is secured via a global network of 2,100 dealers and workshops in more than 130 countries.

Volvo trucks are assembled in 15 countries across the globe. In 2018, more than 127,000 trucks were delivered worldwide.

* D13TC Euro 6 step D with the long-haul fuel package (I-Save) versus D13 eSCR Euro 6 step D without the long-haul fuel package. Actual fuel economy will vary depending on many factors, such as use of cruise control, vehicle specification, vehicle load, actual topography, the driver’s driving experience and weather conditions, says Volvo.