Volvo Trucks passes 10,000 gas powered truck milestone
Volvo Trucks has delivered its 10,000th gas powered truck since launching the technology in 2018. The figure underlines a broader shift in heavy transport towards a multi pathway strategy, where biomethane fills the gap between full electrification and conventional diesel.
The company reports accelerating demand in 2025, driven by competitive fuel pricing and improved availability of bio based fuels across key European markets.
Diesel cycle efficiency, gas fuel
Volvo applies High Pressure Direct Injection technology in its Volvo FM, Volvo FH and Volvo FH Aero ranges. The system, supplied by partner Cespira, injects gas at high pressure while using a small quantity of diesel or hydrotreated vegetable oil for ignition.
The result is diesel like torque and driveability, without the efficiency losses typically associated with spark ignition gas engines. Volvo’s 13 litre D13 engine retains its familiar characteristics, a key factor for long haul operators who prioritise pulling power and predictable performance.
Using bio LNG can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 100 percent on a well to wheel basis, depending on feedstock and production methods.
How it compares
Rivals such as Scania and IVECO rely primarily on Otto cycle gas engines. These offer lower noise levels but tend to trail Volvo’s HPDI setup in fuel efficiency and peak torque.
At the other end of the spectrum, battery electric trucks such as the Tesla Semi and the Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 promise zero tailpipe emissions. However, gas powered Volvo trucks can cover up to 1,000 kilometres on a single fill. Real world range for fully loaded electric alternatives typically falls between 500 and 800 kilometres, depending on conditions and payload.
For operators running tight schedules across long distances, refuelling time and route flexibility remain decisive.
Three track strategy
Volvo Trucks continues to pursue a three track approach, investing in battery electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel cell trucks and internal combustion engines running on renewable fuels. Reaching 10,000 gas trucks in operation strengthens the case for biomethane as a transitional technology rather than a niche experiment.
The strongest European markets include the United Kingdom, followed by Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands. Growth is also visible in India and Latin America, where local biomethane production can be cost effective.
Infrastructure plays a central role. Germany, Norway, Finland and Sweden now offer widespread bio LNG availability, improving residual values and supporting service based leasing models.
