Volvo clean trucks get presidential approval
WASHINGTON — U.S. President George W. Bush liked what he saw yesterday during a tour of Volvo and Mack carbon-dioxide-neutral trucks, hosted by Volvo Group CEO Leif Johansson.
The president toured the display hall at the Washington International Renewable Energy Conference (www.wirec2008.com) yesterday, where seven Volvo Group trucks — six Volvo truck models and one Mack Truck — 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. Four Mack HEV trucks are currently being tested by the U.S. Air Force.
market is ready to accept carbon friendly big rigs.
“We are grateful for President Bush’s interest in our achievements and I shared with him Volvo’s long-term goal of providing advanced vehicles having a benign environmental footprint,” Johansson added.
During his address to conference participants, Bush noted that he expects the private sector to respond to the government’s wish of expanding the use of ethanol and biodiesel.
“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 United States Air Force is using these kinds of trucks. Things are changing,” said Bush.
The Volvo Group is also participating in an environmental agreement developed by the American and Swedish governments. The program aims at reducing 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.” Johansson concluded.
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